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Apprentice
 
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Last Login: Friday, February 01, 2008 12:43 AM
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Somewhere along the line this summer a bunch of kids saw me and my partner having a sword-fight or something, and got interested. They liked it even more when we let them have a go. No, I'm entirely sure how that happened!
But anyway, the kids on our estate (in East Manchester) like playing with swords, and we wanna take it a little further. We're in the process of looking into getting a grant from the East Manchester Redevelopment agency or someone for kit so they don't pagga our weaponry to bits (they're getting better...). What else would anyone rerecommendThe kids range from about 6 years old up to teen agers, and a few of their mums are interested too. No-one seems to be worried that it could be dangerous, and we are careful every time to make sure they know not to stab or throw them, or such like. And they have the idea that you have a number of "hits" and that you lose and/or die when they are gone. One of them inexpertly invented a magic system that no-one else agreed to - We have had to promise him that he can play a mage if and when we run an adventure!
What should we do next then? Assuming we can get the grant for weapons (we have no cash of our own for this, and I don't think anyone else involved is sure enough of it to invest *yet*...), what range should we get? I'm thinking maybe some at 18" as full size for the little ones and sidearms for the big ones, and some at 42" as greagreat-weapons the little ones and normal for the big ones. Maybe a staff or two? Pole-arms? Shields? I have no idea how much we'll get, if anything, but we'll have to put in aproposal with the grant application, so we have some leeway on this.
Should we run linears? What sort of rules should we use? should we bother with character advancement straight away? how complex should character creation be? What other kit/costumes do we need?
I have played many LRP systems, and my partner even more - between us we've been doing LRP longer than many of them have been alive, and have both been roleplaying since before most of them were born - but I am most familar familiarelstrom. I know we are probably not the ideal people to run this, but they know us and we have the bloody mindedness to do it, so any input at all would be very much appreciated!
Loz
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and Minimeister
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Good luck and remember the magic of KISS. Keep It Simple Stupid. Kids are fairly good at learning and adapting rules, but if you keep it simple to start and emphasise the honour system, I can't see how you'd go wrong. Good luck!
There is only overconfidence and terror.
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Prodigal
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| are you actually looking to get them roleplaying, or playing scout wide games like capture the flag with weapons? CBR checks may be an issue.
------ <insert really amusing sig here>
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I do talk a good fight
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Don't buy LRP weapons with the grant -- buy a load of Battling Swords:
http://www.battling.com/
Those are thrust-safe, too.
If you want weapons other than swords (and I'm not sure that you need weapons other than swords, personally), just buy some LD60 plastazote and make thick coreless ones, similar to the Battling Swords in construction (which I suspect are LD60 or similar anyway).
http://www.hyboriantales.com
PD: Ghostdance ("The most irritating curse I've ever encountered" -- NPC played by H.)
Riftworld: Rossar Kuug ("Clearly mad, because he thinks he's a Com-Trow Skirmisher" - Aela)
Hyborian Tales: Crew, cook, dogsbody, general labourer, toilet cleaner ("Dangerously overoptimistic ref" -- Tom Nowell)
Otherwise usually crew ("Quite spry & fit, & willing to wear a big costume & run around a lot" -- various event organisers)
"My other oversized foam weapon is THE LORD" -- Questionable Content
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Apprentice
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Last Login: Friday, February 01, 2008 12:43 AM
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Yes, we are intending to get them roleplaying if at all possible. the concept has been mooted a few times without bad response, but we don't currently have the kit to make it work. CRB checks are a good point, fortunately Ali already has one (she's a teacher by trade...). As for the battling swords - I like the look of them in theory but would have to see them in real life first. There is the small problem that they only come in sword and shield (although I might nab their shields...) because I would like to have various differnt types of weapon available. We've already convinced them that two daggers can be as good as a spear or a bastard sword if used right (yes, three foot high little girl with three and a half foot sword... there's something wrong with that picture but I'm not sure what...) As for making our own - if I trusted myself to do it right that wouldn't be a bad idea! I'll look into it. The ability to be stabbing safe is a big plus! Maybe I could latex and isoflex them so they look better...
We spoke to someone from the East Manchester Redevelopment agency about it today - turns out he used to do treasure trap, which helped! We'll find when we'll find out more about what they can do to help us on Wednesday... But apparently the most common grant that sounds vaguely feasible in principal (no promises...) is about £1500 maximum - if my previous experience of grant making bodies is anything to go but there is no way to get the maximum award!
I have been plugging things into a spreadsheet (I'll hold off on posting the numbers... but they look almost feasible...). I have taken account of weaponry and costume (or rather cloth and a sewing machine that doesn't break thread and needles while tangling itself up randomly to make them on, and a pile of masks), first aid kit and walkie talkies, as well as more intangibles but just as essential insurance, CRB checks for me, and first aid training (I just about know how to put a sticking plaster on...). I've also allowed some for travel and advertising - if the kids here like it why shouldn't we take it to others elsewhere? Can anything think of anything else? I feel like I've definitely forgotten something important!
Loz
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I do talk a good fight
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They do short swords/daggers as well. As I say though you could easily make coreless daggers out of say 40mm plastazote.
I'd buy all the swords in black (it's actually a kinda dark grey). They're very durable and safe, IME -- been using a pair with my son regularly for about 4 years now, with several intense fights each week, and they show no signs of more than superficial damage. They will bend somewhat after a really hard hit; you have to pause a moment to straighten them again. Still, that's not much different to using low quality iron swords, apparently!
http://www.hyboriantales.com
PD: Ghostdance ("The most irritating curse I've ever encountered" -- NPC played by H.)
Riftworld: Rossar Kuug ("Clearly mad, because he thinks he's a Com-Trow Skirmisher" - Aela)
Hyborian Tales: Crew, cook, dogsbody, general labourer, toilet cleaner ("Dangerously overoptimistic ref" -- Tom Nowell)
Otherwise usually crew ("Quite spry & fit, & willing to wear a big costume & run around a lot" -- various event organisers)
"My other oversized foam weapon is THE LORD" -- Questionable Content
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Knight
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If you are planning a route for your liniers, advise the police of your route. That way, they wont panic when they hear of a bunch of kids armed to the teeth running around a wooded area of manchester.
Try and make sure if you are planning a weekly / fortnightly session that you have somewhere dry to fall back on in case the heavens open.
Aim for adult supervision at the 8-11 range. The scout association recommends that for this age range, 1 adult per 6 kids is a good balance.
Permission slips! Get the parents permission in writing in all cases. This should then be something you take with you if you are taking kids out in public, as it is immediate proof that you are A: reponsible and B: allowed to beat up small children.
If you want some ideas on writing plot for kids, let me know and I`ll jot a few bits down for you.
Alan
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Champion
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You might want to e-mail Simon at Spearhead. I know they've run a few linears for kids from local schools, so he might have a few hints and tips
- -------------
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- Brighton Below : Organiser
- Serenity: Capt Tom Crowson
- RL: Simon / Trez
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