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

Rescue Maid Marian

Here is another LARP scenario

Backstory

The evil Sheriff has captured Maid Marian. He stages an execution to draw out Robin.

Naturally, Robin and the Merry Men plan to rescue her.

Set Up

• Set up 2 spawn points (the flags) at opposite ends of the field.
• Set up a pole (or use a tree) in the middle of the field.
• You need a volunteer to play Maid Marian. She begins the game "tied" to the pole in the middle.
• I recommend not actually tying her up. Have her place her hands behind her back and pretend she is tied up.
• The Sheriff and his men begin surrounding Maid Marian.
• Robin and his men begin at their spawn point.

Objective

Both sides seek to bring Marian to their spawn point.

Special Rules

• All players have unlimited lives. They respawn at their respective spawn points.
• Designate two players to represent Robin and the Sheriff. They get 1 point of bubble armor.
• Robin and the Merry Men can untie Marian by touching her with a weapon and shouting "Cutting" three times. If a player is killed while trying to untie Marian then the count must begin from the start.
• Once freed, Robin or his men may escort Marian back to their spawn. The escort must remain by her side the entire time.
• Marian is is no shape to run. She can only walk.
• If Marian's escort is killed, Marian must stop where she is.
• The Sheriff or his men can recapture Marian by touching her LIGHTLY with a weapon. Marian must then follow her new escort back to the Sheriff's spawn until the escort is killed.
• The process of freeing and recapturing Marian continues until one side gets her to its spawn point.
• The Sheriff or his men cannot move Marian until she gets untied.

This is essentially a version of Heavy Object, except with a person instead of an object.

Hastings Scenario

Recently, someone posted on the Florida LARP Facebook page asking for assistance in coming up with some scenarios. First up is my take on the battle of Hastings.

Set Up

• Divide the players into 2 teams - Norman and Saxon
• Designate one player on each team to be the king - William for the Normans and Harold for the Saxons.
• You may want to give each king a crown made of paper or foam.
• Set up the battlefield as shown.
• Flags are the spawn points for each team.
• The oval is a hill. You can mark it out with rope, paint (if allowed), or even a real hill.

Objective

• A team wins by killing the other team's king.

Rules

• Kings get 1 point of bubble armor, which allows them to ignore one hit per life.
• Saxons get 1 point of bubble armor when on the hill.
• This also applies to Harold, so he has 2 points of bubble armor when on the hill.
• Unless respawning, players must remain 10' away from the spawn point.
• When killed, players may respawn at their team's spawn point. They need to touch the point and then count to 5.
• I suggest giving kings 4 respawns. Soldiers have unlimited respawns.