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I do talk a good fight
 
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Refuge is a low-fantasy LRP, run at Wilderness Farm near Wrexham. The game world is especially influenced by Greco-Roman myth, but applying what might be considered almost a "magic realist" approach -- that is, apparently supernatural stuff happens some of the time, but it's almost always possible to convince oneself that there's a rational explanation, if one tries hard enough... so, for example, there are cyclops, but they're basically big, very tough humans who appear to have deliberately mutilated themselves by removing one eye -- or are they?
The game background is detailed, reasonably original, and apparently quite self-consistent. There is a feeling that there's a living, breathing ecology & economy out there -- quite a feat in a game with only 15 or 20 attendees. There's also a feeling that life is a constant struggle for survival. This is dystopian fantasy -- civilisation is near-ruined, there are threats everywhere, and there's always a chance that your characters will be unable to get enough food to eat, or anywhere to shelter from the winter.
Yet there's heroism, too. Fights are short & brutal, but with just enough special abilities (which re-set every fight) to give each character a couple of unique edges. You'll die quickly if the surgeons don't get to you -- but if they do, you should be back up on your feet fairly soon, and ready for a scrap again soon after that.
The team are young & enthusiastic, with fresh ideas & loads of energy. They spent the fortnight before the event building a rough palisade & watchtowers, to represent the main IC location of the caravan the PCs are assumed to be a part of, and setting up 4 or so IC tents inside it.
Cost is very low (£15 per event!), giving exceptional value. For this, you do have to do your share of monstering -- there were no dedicated full-time crew. This is (mostly) old-school fun -- running round with your mates in the woods, hitting each other with rubber swords while pretending to be Elves -- but that is part of the appeal, and Kieran & co. have enough innovative ideas that there's a new spin or two on that old-school fun.
As might be expected, crew kit was fairly minimal, given the low cost, but I've been to FAR more expensive events that had similarly limited kit.
Most of the player-base are fairly young -- I think only 4 of us there were aged over about 25 (though all 4 of us were at least in our late 30s, so there was a bit of a gap between us & the rest of the players).
Crash space was available for all attendees either in IC tents or in various bunk-rooms around the farm. I slept in a tent, so didn't see the latter. Food was available, at a fee -- again, I didn't try any of that, as I'd brought my own, so I can't comment on its quality or value.
So, most of the above was info, or frothing -- were there any down-sides? Any areas for improvement?
I guess, as a shield-user, I would have liked it if my shield didn't tend to get Smashed in every fight I was in -- but I guess I just need to suck it up and buy a point of Discipline next time.
There seemed to be a lot of OOC conversation -- people seemed to drop OOC very frequently. Sometimes this can be a sign of bored players. I'm hoping that's not the case here, and that things will improve on the OOC front. I think that part of the problem was that there was not always a clearly defined Time In and Time Out, and there were probably one or two too many Time Freezes for my liking.
Overall, though, Refuge has a lot of promise, is great value, and was a whole lot of fun. I don't really want much more than that out of an LRP weekend, so I was very, very happy. I'm looking forward to being at the next one.
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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Prodigal
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| I'd tend to agree with Ian- excellent value for money, enthusiastic, creative and occasionally innovative, Refuge was a lot of fun, yet managed to keep you worried about your character's safety and wellbeing. The OOC chatting was annoying, but the player base is very young (average age is probably about 20- but with a significant number of 17 year olds) and relatively inexperienced so I think this will improve- especially with older players joining in. Having said that, I think they're a lovely group and I wouldn't want them to become obsessive about it. Kieran who seems to be the main driver is a man to watch- still at Uni, this is his first system, having played only 2 others, and he's supported by a great team- I think we can expect big things from this lot.
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Squire
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Its worth noting that a number of the young ones are part of local youth drama group, and dont have much experience in LARP, if at all. We just need to keep reminding them and they will get the message. i'm sure we were all like that once in the distant mists of time :-)
I think considering their relative inexperience, they did quite well on the whole.
I am going to have to think of some shortcuts for the surgery stuff and suggest them to Kieran.
Next event, i would like to see at least *some* daylight next event :-)
Alternatively, we have to put Leigh (Saul) and Lyon (William) in a tent somewere and tell them not to move 
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PD: Cedric Shipwright of the Forevers Trading Company and possibly Greenfield shores - I dunno. Its confusing.
Refuge: Davidius of Leguire, Surgeon and head of the healers faction.
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Prodigal
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| I don't those mists of time were that distant,and like we both said, lovely people and a pleasure to roleplay with- looking forward to more involvement. You could try hobbling Saul and William?
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Knight
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If you give me a heads up when the next game is i am thinking very strong about comeing along as it local, don't need to take the day off and its dark ages so already have the kit......
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The fallen: Prof. Taloc Gleder (the older of the family)
Vikings: Olaf the genorus
Dumnonni Choricles: Aelle, loyal bodygard to Cenwulf king of the Weagmundings
Artifcer: System Ref
PD: Blue Hat
www.lalenth.com
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Prodigal
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I too might be up for it, let me know the dates...
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