New Shoes!

I finally picked up some shoes that look better for LARP.

They are chukka boots from Amazon.

They're not authentic but they'll look good enough from several feet away. And they were on sale for $26!

More Enhanced Kits

Following up on the previous post, here are the last few enhanced kits.

Scymatia

Teikoku

Tortuga

Enhanced Kits

Following up on my post about kits for recruits, I am generating Chat GPT images of upgraded kits - basically something to strive towards.

These are the ones I've done so far.

Aridia

Chevalia - knight and ranger options

The Empire

The Isles

Nevora - with and without armor

Palmyra

Rhuunheim

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.

Leveling Up in Valiant LARP

I would like the officers of the Chimera Legion to consider possible improvements to the current requirements for leveling up. Please send me any suggestions. We can also discuss during practice.

Current Requirements

Here are the current requirements by level. I include the generic level titles with the Chimera Legion equivalents in parentheses.

1. Recruit (Rudis). No requirements. All players start at level 1.
2. Apprentice (Tiro). 3 lore battles. Own a tabard or tunic. Demonstrate proper game etiquette.
3. Regular (Miles). 1 full season of lore battles. Own basic garb and a weapon. Demonstrate prowess and proper game etiquette.
4. Veteran (Emeritus). 2 full seasons of lore battles. Own full garb and a complete weapon set. Demonstrate prowess and proper game etiquette.
5. Exemplar (Principale). 3 full seasons of lore battles. Own full garb, loaner garb, a complete weapon set, and a loaner weapon set. Demonstrate prowess and proper game etiquette.
6. The Best (Optimates). 4 full seasons of lore battles. Own full garb, loaner garb, and monster garb. Own three complete weapon sets. Demonstrate prowess and proper game etiquette.

Notes:

• Basic garb includes tunic, pants, appropriate shoes and belt.
• Full garb is better quality basic garb with accessories, like headgear.
• Monster garb is for when the player is an NPC. It helps the game if people have their own monster garb.
• Weapon sets include sword and board, great sword, bow and 6 arrows, javelin and buckler, etc,
• In the past, I used an Order of the Eagle in a season as a mark of prowess. Now that we have more players we will need another benchmark. The officers can discuss candidates.
• For level 6, I would like to have a quest as the test of prowess.
• Proper game etiquette means the player obeys the rules, does not sluff, treats other players with respect, and makes the game better.

Guiding Principles

When we developed these guidelines initially, these are some principles I kept in mind.

• Reward the character not the player. That is why there are no requirements to build stuff.
• No stupid trials. In Bel and WotS these tend to be of the fight everyone until you drop variety. Thus, they tend to be endurance trials, etc. Waste of time. I want to reward people for what they do during the actual game, specifically lore battles.
• No pay to play. People should acquire the basics, garb and weapons. But they don't need armor or other really expensive gear to level up.
• For higher levels, I want to reward characters who show leadership by helping the Legion. Loaner garb and weapons are great helps.
• Level 6 should be our equivalent of knighthood. These characters will get an in-game ennobling ceremony (details TBD).

Questions

I have some questions for the officers.

• What do you think of the requirements? Anything to add or change?
• Does it take too long to reach level 6?
• Is requiring 3 weapon sets for level 6 too much? The idea is that the character can outfit him or herself plus two others. Kind of like a knight and two squires.
• Should I drop the requirement for monster garb? It is technically out of character. Originally, the requirement called for feast garb. I dropped that because we don't really do fancy feasts.

You can respond in our Discord or in the comments section of this post.

Kit Wish List

A Black Friday sale at Medieval Collectibles got me thinking about what I'd like for gear. Here is my current wish list.

My Current Kit

In general, I am happy with my current kit, which looks like this.

I have painted the shield and replaced the plastic lamellar with leather.

Priorities for 2026

There are some minor changes I'd like to make.

• Breeches
• Shoes
• Subarmalis

In addition, I'd like to pick up another loaner tabard.

Let's look at each item in detail.

Breeches

I have a pair of the Kilian short trousers, but I am unhappy with them. It is hard to tie the drawstring and they don't stay up.

I'd like breeches that:

• have an elastic waistband (I know, not period. No one will see it)
• pockets (Again, not period. See above)
• Not too poofy

I think I found the perfect ones - the Veli Medieval Breeches. They have a version in black.

They're $61 so a bit pricey.

A slightly cheaper option is to take these Viking pants from Amazon and cut off the cuff at the bottom.

Shoes

Right now, I just wear a pair of Skechers. I would like to get something a little more appropriate. The issue is that medieval accurate shoes have leather soles. Walking on leather soles feels like ice skating. For safety reasons, I'd like to get rubber soles (again not period, but do I care?)

A period(ish) option are the Anglo Scandinavian shoes from Boots by Bohemond.

My big issue is that I don't like ordering shoes online. I have wide feet so I like to try them on.

A cheaper option is to go to a local shoe store and look for Chukka boots.

Subarmalis

My subarmalis is made of faux leather so it is very hot and heavy. I would like something lighter for summer months, preferably made from linen.

I found a company in Spain, Sagum Ancient Clothing, that makes a linen subarmalis. Unfortunately, no pteruges.

I also looked for a cotton subarmalis. Most look too padded or lack pteruges.

Another option is to dispense with the top and just wear pteruges. But that means I need to find pteruges, or cut up my current subarmalis.

Cardboard Armor

Experimenting with making armor from cardboard. I doubt it's durable enough for LARP but I could use it as templates for EVA foam or leather armor.

Helmet

First up is a flat top helmet. I figured that flat top is the easiest to do.

Here is the inspiration.

Crusader Flat Helm from Medieval Collectibles

Here is my version.

It's a prototype, using tape to keep it together. It needs to be painted.

I think I made it too short. I should try a version that's a little taller. I may also add faux chain to it.

Greaves

Kind of cheating - using Velcro straps. Still, it came out good.

Next, I should try a version that extends over the knee.

Cuirass, Pauldron, and Bracer

Sorry about the flash.

The Velcro straps work well for the bracers too!

The slits on the cuirass aren't a feature of the armor. I just so happened to have a bunch of cardboard panels with slits. If I did this design for real, the plates would just be solid.

I am really happy with the pauldron. I wanted something to fit onto the point of my shoulder. I took a flat piece of cardboard, cut out a diagonal wedge at top, then bent the cardboard so that the edges of the diagonal meet. It worked!

Next Steps

In all, the prototypes work. On to the final product.

But the big question is what material to use.

• Leather is an obvious choice for LARP. But it is so expensive!
• Cardboard is cheap but I don't think it will be durable. Perhaps I should try Plastidip on it.
• EVA foam is commonly used for cosplay armor. But will it be durable?

As I write this, I think Plastidip cardboard greaves might be a good test.

A Silly Project

I started messing around with a silly project - cardboard armor!

The Evolution of a "Project"

It started with me thinking about how to do a beginner kit in the cheapest fashion possible.

Part 1 - Basis Garb

I figure that one could do basic garb with a t-shirt, sweatpants, and hiking boots.

Here is an AI generated example.

Part 2 - Enhancements

Then I got to thinking about how to enhance the above kit. 

The simplest idea is to add a tabard.

Also, how about some armor? But I want to keep things cheap. Which leads me to ...

Cardboard Armor
I've been researching cardboard armor and found some very intriguing sites.

On YouTube, Mark's Workshop has some good videos, like this brigandine.

Some more ideas. I will add more as I find them.

• Greathelm
• A spangenhelm with faceplate - nice design!
• Another helmet
• Black Raven Academy "Legio" cuirass and pauldrons.
• Fantasy knight armor
• Skill Tree EVA foam bracers

Honestly, I don't know if I can make cardboard armor resilient enough for LARP. Perhaps if I plastidip it? But even if it doesn't work, I can use the patterns for leather armor.

The Simplest Armor?

I'm pondering what the simplest armor would be.

• Greaves and bracers should be pretty simple. Probably not going to bother with bracers; I recommend people get gloves instead.
• Helmet? Probably a flat top design, although I recommend open-face.
• Body? The brig seems like a lot of work. What would be easier?

Happy Easter!

 "But God raised him from the dead, freeing him from the agony of death, because it was impossible for death to keep its hold on him." Acts 2:24

"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead." 1 Peter 1:3

Kit Update

I made some progress on my kit. Here is an update.

ARMOR

Leather lamellar is complete.

I put the leather lorica segmentata on hold.

I plan on selling my plastic kit from Red Dragon. This means I'll be without greaves. I'm thinking about making some leather greaves.

WEAPONS

Current inventory.

• Sword - I have plenty so no planned additions right now.
• Shield - I have a couple. I'm working on a 22" round shield for villains.
• Spear - I made one then gave it away. I also made a javelin, which can stand in as a spear.
• Bow and Arrows - Still need to replace a couple of arrows.
• Great Weapon - I made a falx!
• Dagger - I have one.
• Javelin - complete.
• Buckler - I have one partially complete.
• Throwing Weapon - I made a holy symbol throwing weapon

Here is a picture with my newest weapons. From L to R, a falx, holy symbol throwing weapon, and a javelin.

GARB

• Loaner garb - want to get one of these in Legion colors.
• Monster garb - working on a death knight kit

Clearance

I finished my leather lamellar a few months ago. This means that I have some extraneous armor I'd like to sell.

Contact me if you are interested. I can meet you so you can try it on.

CLEARANCE - Plastic Lamellar

I no longer need my plastic lamellar, using plates from Plastic Lamellar.

I designed it to be front opening. I also used a leather backing rather than overlap the plates. Because of this, it is not so rigid as a standard lamellar. But is also weighs less.

It is used. Not much wear but you may need to tighten some knots. Looking for $25 or best offer.

CLEARANCE - Red Dragon Armory Plastic Plate Set
This plastic set includes helmet, pauldrons, bracers (not visible in the picture), and greaves. The set comes from Red Dragon Armory. Measurements in the link.

It is used so there is minor wear. Looking for $200. Available new at Medieval Collectibles for $428.

Merry Christmas

"Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord."

Luke 2:11 (NIV)

Botticelli's Nativity

May the Lord bless you in the new year.

Kit Planning

I am quite happy with my kit right now, which you can see here. But I am planning some additions and upgrades.

Armor

I plan to upgrade from plastic lamellar to leather, in order to save weight.

The leather lam is close to being done. I have all the plates completed. 

I just need to lace them all together, add shoulder straps, and laces to tie it shut.

I may also try my hand at leather pauldrons, similar in design to those on the lorica segmentata.

Who knows? Maybe I'll make a lorica next.

Weapons

To qualify for 6th level in Valiant LARP, I need to complete my weapons collection.

Here is an inventory, with items I have complete in bold.

• Sword and shield - got them, although I am considering some upgrades
• a fancier sword in the form of a Roman spatha
• a smaller, round shield
• Spear and dagger - Just need the spear. While I could make one, I prefer something more professional, at least for the spearhead. Thinking about the Fakesteel pikehead.
• Bow and arrows - need 2 arrows.
• Great weapon and dagger - Have them but I want to upgrade the great to something more Roman era. Thinking about a falx. I should be able to make it similar to the makhaira I did years ago.
• Javelin and buckler - I need to get a javelin and finish the buckler. For the javelin, I found an interesting design based on the Roman pilum. Just need to figure out how to make it.

LARP pila

Garb

Items I need for 6th level.

• Loaner garb - I have tabards I can use, but I'd like to get one in Legion colors.
• I can use my wool robe for feast garb but I'd like a fancy hat.

Other Gear

• A quiver

An Update

I've been silent on this blog far too long, so I want to add a quick update.

The Kit is Coming Along

My Aurelian officer kit has come along nicely.

Naturally, I am on the left.

I have since painted the shield red with gold trim. The rest of my kit has not really changed. I am wearing a plastic lamellar cuirass over a black faux leather subarmalis while wearing a spangenhelm.

I really like how it turned out. I am planning one change - replacing the plastic lamellar with a leather one.

Another New Beginning

We finally decided to leave WotS and strike out on our own. We formed our own LARP organization called Valiant LARP.

We gained 4 or so new recruits this year, which has made battles more interesting. Our third season is well underway. This year we are battling the machinations of the Faedwyr (dark elves). Read more about it at Legends of the Legion.

A&S is Dumb

RANT MODE ON

I saw a post on Facebook promoting an A&S (crafting) contest. It set me off because I HATE crafting. I was working on a long argument explaining why but it got to be too much. Instead, I give you my TL, DR version.

• I hate it when I see A&S promotions because they push A&S like it's something everyone should do. No, people don't need to craft. It is NOT part of the game.
• Think about it. You can enjoy the game without ever crafting.
• I hate A&S contests for a variety of reasons. One major flaw is that we reward people who craft for the sake of crafting. In other words, they craft something for themselves and the judges, but it does not enhance the game in any way.
• Instead, we should promote crafting that enhances the game.
• Like sewing? Help make garb for new players.
• Like cooking? Make a feast for the group.
• Like weapon making? Craft some high-quality loaner weapons.
• And so on.
• Want to reward crafters? Reward them for the service they provide to the group.

I could elaborate, but I'm tired of crafting this post. Feel free to chat with me about it at an event.

Tasset Approval

One issue I have with my latest armor kit is the lack of heavy armor on my lower torso. To alleviate that, I'm looking into making tassets.

The Design

I fiddled around with a cardboard prototype.

I picked up a cheap belt from Walmart then added strips of cardboard designed to look like lamellar.

For the real thing, I would make 3 panels - 2 for the front and 1 for the back.

The design seems practical. Now onto the construction phase.

Leather or Plastic

First, I need to decide which material to use for the tassets. I have 2 options - leather or plastic.

Let's start with plastic.

My idea is to order some more plates from Plastic Lamellar. Now that I have some experience, I think I can whip up some lamellar tassets in a short period of time. The drawback is weight.

Instead, I could go with leather.

I'm thinking 9-10 oz. leather. These would be lighter than plastic. However, I am not experienced working with leather. Besides the learning curve, I need to acquire all the tools.

I probably should just take the plunge with leather. It's something I want to learn anyway.

An Update

It's been a while since I posted so I thought I'd do a quick update.

Armor

In my last post, I mentioned I was playing around with armor designs. I think I have it down.

Here is a picture in my new, front-opening lamellar.

The design works. I am considering making one in leather.

Mythic Adventures

A year ago, Robb and I tried out Mythic Adventures, a full immersion LARP in the Orlando area. It did not go well. We decided to give it another go recently and it went much better.

This time, we did our monster shift at night, which prevented me from getting overheated. We made some contacts and even joined a noble house as retainers! I'm slowly getting used to the combat system, although I still think it is overly convoluted.

Nevertheless, I enjoyed the trip. Looking to attend again in October.

The Legion Campaign

The second season of our Legion campaign continues. You can read about it here. We still need more people. :(

Goofing Around with Armor

I'm a fan of the look of lamellar. I even made myself a cuirass using plastic plates.

I have has two issues with this cuirass, however,

1. It's a little heavier than I'd like. I want to shave off a couple of pounds.
2. It fastens on the side, which I find awkward.

I recently saw this video of a front-opening lamellar. I love it!

Anyway, that got me thinking of armor designs. I think I have a way to redo the plastic lamellar and save some weight. However, I've gone on a tangent and am thinking about doing a cuirass entirely of leather.

Anyway, I decided to try out my design in cardboard first.

The front

And the back.

Instead of individual plates, I'm using 12" long bands. I then scored them and, at top, curved them, so they look like lamellar plates. For this experiment, I tied the pieces together with twist ties and then used Velcro for the shoulder straps and the front fasteners.

It fits pretty well if I am just in a tunic. I need to make it a little wider to fit over my subarmalis. Also, the top jabs me in the throat when I bend over. I can remedy that by removing the bottom row. Still, I'm pretty happy about how it turned out.

Christmas Wish List

Jotting down kit I want to get.

Updated 10/29

Wagon

I'm interested in getting a portable wagon for carrying stuff from my car.

Here is one on Amazon - link

Helmet

I moved this up. This is my top armor priority.

From Wyrmwick (https://www.wyrmwick.com/larp-armour-all-helmets/spangenhelm)

in gold with plain nasal and no plume.

or a cheaper alternative from Dark Knight Armory - https://www.darkknightarmoury.com/product/horse-lord-helmet/

Bronze Hoplite Greaves

Also from Red Dragon (https://www.reddragonarmoury.com/bronze-larp-leg-armour) or

Dark Knight Armory (https://www.darkknightarmoury.com/product/bronze-hoplite-greaves/)

Bronze Hoplite Cuirass

I moved this down. I was wearing my plate recently and found it uncomfortable when I sat down. I'm now thinking about something more flexible. Nevertheless, I'm leaving this up for reference.

From Red Dragon Armory (https://www.reddragonarmoury.com/bronze-larp-body-armour) or

Dark Knight Armory (https://www.darkknightarmoury.com/product/bronze-hoplite-cuirass/)

It appears cheaper to get it from Red Dragon. They are in England, however, so shipping may be more expensive