https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/api.php?action=feedcontributions&feedformat=atom&user=Spoondog 2026-05-19T14:22:36Z User contributions MediaWiki 1.39.6 https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=138816 2026-05-19T10:02:41Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Sparky Team==<br /> Currently we are looking for one new member for the Sparky team, to help roll out power &amp; lighting across the field.<br /> <br /> There's no specific technical knowledge needed for this role, we are looking for someone to help lay out cable, hang lights in tents, and other related tasks. <br /> <br /> ===How Much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''You can play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game, in an emergency you may be asked to assist the team'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Technical Knowledge is not required for this role'''<br /> * '''To be onsite from Thursday morning through to Monday early afternoon, to cover the majority of set up and take down'''<br /> * '''Working in a small tight knit team'''<br /> * ''' This is a physically demanding role, including a lot of heavy lifting, walking, and working up ladders.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for a someone to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend. '''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * ''' Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * ''' Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> We are on duty from 1am until 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). Our standard duties are patrolling the site, checking for unattended fires, keeping an eye on the site infrastructure, and helping event participants with any problems that may happen. Sometimes, we have to deal with more serious incidents; other times, nothing happens at all.<br /> <br /> Our main concern is the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important thing.<br /> <br /> What we like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. Nature at night is amazing too: shooting stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest…<br /> <br /> Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> We’re looking for a couple of people to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We have a couple of slots open and am looking for different potential roles to be filled. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> We are also looking for someone that could help out pre-event Wednesday evening/Thursday morning and possibly Sunday evening at the crew party. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * '''Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=138815 2026-05-19T09:00:25Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Sparky Team==<br /> Currently we are looking for one new member for the Sparky team, to help roll out power &amp; lighting across the field.<br /> <br /> There's no specific technical knowledge needed for this role, we are looking for someone to help lay out cable, hang lights in tents, and other related tasks. <br /> <br /> ===How Much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''You can play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game, in an emergency you may be asked to assist the team'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Technical Knowledge is not required for this role'''<br /> * '''To be onsite from Thursday morning through to Monday early afternoon, to cover the majority of set up and take down'''<br /> * '''Working in a small tight knit team'''<br /> * ''' This is a physically demanding role, including a lot of heavy lifting, walking, and working up ladders.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for a couple of people to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We have a couple of slots open and am looking for different potential roles to be filled. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> We are also looking for someone that could help out pre-event Wednesday evening/Thursday morning and possibly Sunday evening at the crew party. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend. '''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * ''' Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * ''' Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> We are on duty from 1am until 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). Our standard duties are patrolling the site, checking for unattended fires, keeping an eye on the site infrastructure, and helping event participants with any problems that may happen. Sometimes, we have to deal with more serious incidents; other times, nothing happens at all.<br /> <br /> Our main concern is the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important thing.<br /> <br /> What we like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. Nature at night is amazing too: shooting stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest…<br /> <br /> Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> We’re looking for a couple of people to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We have a couple of slots open and am looking for different potential roles to be filled. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> We are also looking for someone that could help out pre-event Wednesday evening/Thursday morning and possibly Sunday evening at the crew party. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * '''Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=138512 2026-05-15T12:33:04Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Sparky Team==<br /> Currently we are looking for one new member for the Sparky team, to help roll out power &amp; lighting across the field.<br /> <br /> There's no specific technical knowledge needed for this role, we are looking for someone to help lay out cable, hang lights in tents, and other related tasks. <br /> <br /> ===How Much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''You can play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game, in an emergency you may be asked to assist the team'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Technical Knowledge is not required for this role'''<br /> * '''To be onsite from Thursday morning through to Monday early afternoon, to cover the majority of set up and take down'''<br /> * '''Working in a small tight knit team'''<br /> * ''' This is a physically demanding role, including a lot of heavy lifting, walking, and working up ladders.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Participant Welfare Team Member==<br /> <br /> Supporting All Participants Promoting Wellbeing Helping Keep the Event Enjoyable for All<br /> <br /> The Participant Welfare Team plays a vital role at Empire, offering calm, compassionate support to anybody who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling with their mental health during the event. Empire can be busy, intense, and unpredictable, and sometimes people need a safe space, a listening ear, or support while they figure out their next steps. That’s where Participant Welfare comes in.<br /> As a member of the Participant Welfare Team, you will be part of a small, dedicated group of volunteers with experience and/or training in mental health support.<br /> <br /> You’ll work closely other event teams—such as security, first aid, medical, Egregores, and conduct—to help ensure that every participant feels safe and able to enjoy the weekend.<br /> <br /> ===What You Will Do===<br /> <br /> * '''Respond to calls to support participants experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or who have become overwhelmed.'''<br /> * '''Offer calm, non judgemental listening support, while maintaining boundaries, we support people to regain stability so they can return to the game.'''<br /> * '''Meet participants wherever they are on site or take them to the private welfare tent if they need a quieter space, be aware the role will require walking across the site at times.'''<br /> * '''Make your own dynamic risk assessments, be prepared to deescalate emotionally charged situations. Know your own limits and be willing to ask if unsure about anything.'''<br /> * '''Debrief with your Head of Department after all calls. Be curious about different ways of doing things.'''<br /> * '''Be willing to attend training sessions and meetings between events.'''<br /> <br /> ===What the Role Isn’t===<br /> <br /> * '''The team is led by a qualified Psychotherapist but this not a therapeutic role.'''<br /> * '''You won’t be acting as a counsellor or delivering treatment. Instead, you’ll be offering non-judgmental, short term emotional support to help people through a difficult moment. '''<br /> * '''When very distressed it is normal to feel helpless and want to be rescued, it is important to acknowledge and understand these dynamics, then gently empower the individual to make their own decisions, we support rather than do ‘to’ or ‘for’.'''<br /> <br /> ===How Much of the Event Will You See?===<br /> <br /> We are wanting crew who can commit to 5 shifts across the event. If you are in another crew role this is flexible and we would encourage you to contact us to discuss. <br /> The workload varies, you’ll be on call and on radio for your scheduled shifts, at these times you will need to be able respond to a radio so this will affect game play (may have to leave mid ritual), but you will still get to play a character.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> * '''Strong interpersonal and communication skills.'''<br /> * '''Non-judgemental'''<br /> * '''Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and duty of care expectations.'''<br /> * '''Availability for scheduled shifts over the weekend to be discussed on an individual basis.'''<br /> * '''Willingness to learn from training and feedback.'''<br /> * '''Able to attend between event briefing and training sessions.'''<br /> * '''Helpful, not essential Experience or training in one or more of Mental health support and/or Emotional support work.'''<br /> <br /> ===What You’ll Bring===<br /> <br /> * '''Ability to stay calm and grounded when supporting someone in distress.'''<br /> * '''Empathy, patience, and compassion.'''<br /> * '''A supportive, non judgemental approach.'''<br /> * '''Respect for the autonomy and dignity of participants.'''<br /> * '''Clear ethical boundaries and a calm presence.'''<br /> * '''A desire to help people feel safe and supported.'''<br /> <br /> ===How to Apply===<br /> <br /> * '''Please email Crew@profounddecisions.co.uk.'''<br /> * '''Ref: Participant Welfare crew role.'''<br /> * '''We’re currently looking to add to the team and will choose from the applicants who submit.'''<br /> * '''Due to the responsibility involved, we ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.'''<br /> * '''We’ll also have a casual chat style interview with shortlisted applicants — nothing formal, just a chance to get to know you, talk through the role, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for a couple of people to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We have a couple of slots open and am looking for different potential roles to be filled. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> We are also looking for someone that could help out pre-event Wednesday evening/Thursday morning and possibly Sunday evening at the crew party. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend. '''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * ''' Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * ''' Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> We are on duty from 1am until 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). Our standard duties are patrolling the site, checking for unattended fires, keeping an eye on the site infrastructure, and helping event participants with any problems that may happen. Sometimes, we have to deal with more serious incidents; other times, nothing happens at all.<br /> <br /> Our main concern is the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important thing.<br /> <br /> What we like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. Nature at night is amazing too: shooting stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest…<br /> <br /> Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> We’re looking for a couple of people to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We have a couple of slots open and am looking for different potential roles to be filled. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> We are also looking for someone that could help out pre-event Wednesday evening/Thursday morning and possibly Sunday evening at the crew party. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * '''Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=138511 2026-05-15T12:29:02Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Sparky Team==<br /> Currently we are looking for one new member for the Sparky team, to help roll out power &amp; lighting across the field.<br /> <br /> There's no specific technical knowledge needed for this role, we are looking for someone to help lay out cable, hang lights in tents, and other related tasks. <br /> <br /> ===How Much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''You can play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game, in an emergency you may be asked to assist the team'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Technical Knowledge is not required for this role'''<br /> * '''To be onsite from Thursday morning through to Monday early afternoon, to cover the majority of set up and take down'''<br /> * '''Working in a small tight knit team'''<br /> * ''' This is a physically demanding role, including a lot of heavy lifting, walking, and working up ladders.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Participant Welfare Team Member==<br /> <br /> Supporting All Participants Promoting Wellbeing Helping Keep the Event Enjoyable for All<br /> <br /> The Participant Welfare Team plays a vital role at Empire, offering calm, compassionate support to anybody who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling with their mental health during the event. Empire can be busy, intense, and unpredictable, and sometimes people need a safe space, a listening ear, or support while they figure out their next steps. That’s where Participant Welfare comes in.<br /> As a member of the Participant Welfare Team, you will be part of a small, dedicated group of volunteers with experience and/or training in mental health support.<br /> <br /> You’ll work closely other event teams—such as security, first aid, medical, Egregores, and conduct—to help ensure that every participant feels safe and able to enjoy the weekend.<br /> <br /> ===What You Will Do===<br /> <br /> * '''Respond to calls to support participants experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or who have become overwhelmed.'''<br /> * '''Offer calm, non judgemental listening support, while maintaining boundaries, we support people to regain stability so they can return to the game.'''<br /> * '''Meet participants wherever they are on site or take them to the private welfare tent if they need a quieter space, be aware the role will require walking across the site at times.'''<br /> * '''Make your own dynamic risk assessments, be prepared to deescalate emotionally charged situations. Know your own limits and be willing to ask if unsure about anything.'''<br /> * '''Debrief with your Head of Department after all calls. Be curious about different ways of doing things.'''<br /> * '''Be willing to attend training sessions and meetings between events.'''<br /> <br /> ===What the Role Isn’t===<br /> <br /> * '''The team is led by a qualified Psychotherapist but this not a therapeutic role.'''<br /> * '''You won’t be acting as a counsellor or delivering treatment. Instead, you’ll be offering non-judgmental, short term emotional support to help people through a difficult moment. '''<br /> * '''When very distressed it is normal to feel helpless and want to be rescued, it is important to acknowledge and understand these dynamics, then gently empower the individual to make their own decisions, we support rather than do ‘to’ or ‘for’.'''<br /> <br /> ===How Much of the Event Will You See?===<br /> <br /> We are wanting crew who can commit to 5 shifts across the event. If you are in another crew role this is flexible and we would encourage you to contact us to discuss. <br /> The workload varies, you’ll be on call and on radio for your scheduled shifts, at these times you will need to be able respond to a radio so this will affect game play (may have to leave mid ritual), but you will still get to play a character.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> * '''Strong interpersonal and communication skills.'''<br /> * '''Non-judgemental'''<br /> * '''Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and duty of care expectations.'''<br /> * '''Availability for scheduled shifts over the weekend to be discussed on an individual basis.'''<br /> * '''Willingness to learn from training and feedback.'''<br /> * '''Able to attend between event briefing and training sessions.'''<br /> * '''Helpful, not essential Experience or training in one or more of Mental health support and/or Emotional support work.'''<br /> <br /> ===What You’ll Bring===<br /> <br /> * '''Ability to stay calm and grounded when supporting someone in distress.'''<br /> * '''Empathy, patience, and compassion.'''<br /> * '''A supportive, non judgemental approach.'''<br /> * '''Respect for the autonomy and dignity of participants.'''<br /> * '''Clear ethical boundaries and a calm presence.'''<br /> * '''A desire to help people feel safe and supported.'''<br /> <br /> ===How to Apply===<br /> <br /> * '''Please email Crew@profounddecisions.co.uk.'''<br /> * '''Ref: Participant Welfare crew role.'''<br /> * '''We’re currently looking to add to the team and will choose from the applicants who submit.'''<br /> * '''Due to the responsibility involved, we ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.'''<br /> * '''We’ll also have a casual chat style interview with shortlisted applicants — nothing formal, just a chance to get to know you, talk through the role, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> Your main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the Morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> We are on duty from 1am until 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). Our standard duties are patrolling the site, checking for unattended fires, keeping an eye on the site infrastructure, and helping event participants with any problems that may happen. Sometimes, we have to deal with more serious incidents; other times, nothing happens at all.<br /> <br /> Our main concern is the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important thing.<br /> <br /> What we like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. Nature at night is amazing too: shooting stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest…<br /> <br /> Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> We’re looking for a couple of people to work in crew welfare. <br /> <br /> We have a couple of slots open and am looking for different potential roles to be filled. <br /> <br /> We would like someone who can be available Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. Some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils may be involved. <br /> <br /> We are also looking for someone that could help out pre-event Wednesday evening/Thursday morning and possibly Sunday evening at the crew party. <br /> <br /> Expect some additional occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock when needed. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. <br /> <br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. <br /> <br /> The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns. <br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Apart from the hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon for the lunch role. '''<br /> * '''Be on-site late Wednesday evening for the pre-event role. '''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=138311 2026-05-11T09:16:32Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Sparky Team==<br /> Currently we are looking for one new member for the Sparky team, to help roll out power &amp; lighting across the field.<br /> <br /> There's no specific technical knowledge needed for this role, we are looking for someone to help lay out cable, hang lights in tents, and other related tasks. <br /> <br /> ===How Much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''You can play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game, in an emergency you may be asked to assist the team'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Technical Knowledge is not required for this role'''<br /> * '''To be onsite from Thursday morning through to Monday early afternoon, to cover the majority of set up and take down'''<br /> * '''Working in a small tight knit team'''<br /> * ''' This is a physically demanding role, including a lot of heavy lifting, walking, and working up ladders.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Participant Welfare Team Member==<br /> <br /> Supporting All Participants Promoting Wellbeing Helping Keep the Event Enjoyable for All<br /> <br /> The Participant Welfare Team plays a vital role at Empire, offering calm, compassionate support to anybody who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling with their mental health during the event. Empire can be busy, intense, and unpredictable, and sometimes people need a safe space, a listening ear, or support while they figure out their next steps. That’s where Participant Welfare comes in.<br /> As a member of the Participant Welfare Team, you will be part of a small, dedicated group of volunteers with experience and/or training in mental health support.<br /> <br /> You’ll work closely other event teams—such as security, first aid, medical, Egregores, and conduct—to help ensure that every participant feels safe and able to enjoy the weekend.<br /> <br /> ===What You Will Do===<br /> <br /> * '''Respond to calls to support participants experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or who have become overwhelmed.'''<br /> * '''Offer calm, non judgemental listening support, while maintaining boundaries, we support people to regain stability so they can return to the game.'''<br /> * '''Meet participants wherever they are on site or take them to the private welfare tent if they need a quieter space, be aware the role will require walking across the site at times.'''<br /> * '''Make your own dynamic risk assessments, be prepared to deescalate emotionally charged situations. Know your own limits and be willing to ask if unsure about anything.'''<br /> * '''Debrief with your Head of Department after all calls. Be curious about different ways of doing things.'''<br /> * '''Be willing to attend training sessions and meetings between events.'''<br /> <br /> ===What the Role Isn’t===<br /> <br /> * '''The team is led by a qualified Psychotherapist but this not a therapeutic role.'''<br /> * '''You won’t be acting as a counsellor or delivering treatment. Instead, you’ll be offering non-judgmental, short term emotional support to help people through a difficult moment. '''<br /> * '''When very distressed it is normal to feel helpless and want to be rescued, it is important to acknowledge and understand these dynamics, then gently empower the individual to make their own decisions, we support rather than do ‘to’ or ‘for’.'''<br /> <br /> ===How Much of the Event Will You See?===<br /> <br /> We are wanting crew who can commit to 5 shifts across the event. If you are in another crew role this is flexible and we would encourage you to contact us to discuss. <br /> The workload varies, you’ll be on call and on radio for your scheduled shifts, at these times you will need to be able respond to a radio so this will affect game play (may have to leave mid ritual), but you will still get to play a character.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> * '''Strong interpersonal and communication skills.'''<br /> * '''Non-judgemental'''<br /> * '''Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and duty of care expectations.'''<br /> * '''Availability for scheduled shifts over the weekend to be discussed on an individual basis.'''<br /> * '''Willingness to learn from training and feedback.'''<br /> * '''Able to attend between event briefing and training sessions.'''<br /> * '''Helpful, not essential Experience or training in one or more of Mental health support and/or Emotional support work.'''<br /> <br /> ===What You’ll Bring===<br /> <br /> * '''Ability to stay calm and grounded when supporting someone in distress.'''<br /> * '''Empathy, patience, and compassion.'''<br /> * '''A supportive, non judgemental approach.'''<br /> * '''Respect for the autonomy and dignity of participants.'''<br /> * '''Clear ethical boundaries and a calm presence.'''<br /> * '''A desire to help people feel safe and supported.'''<br /> <br /> ===How to Apply===<br /> <br /> * '''Please email Crew@profounddecisions.co.uk.'''<br /> * '''Ref: Participant Welfare crew role.'''<br /> * '''We’re currently looking to add to the team and will choose from the applicants who submit.'''<br /> * '''Due to the responsibility involved, we ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.'''<br /> * '''We’ll also have a casual chat style interview with shortlisted applicants — nothing formal, just a chance to get to know you, talk through the role, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> Your main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the Morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> We are on duty from 1am until 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). Our standard duties are patrolling the site, checking for unattended fires, keeping an eye on the site infrastructure, and helping event participants with any problems that may happen. Sometimes, we have to deal with more serious incidents; other times, nothing happens at all.<br /> <br /> Our main concern is the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important thing.<br /> <br /> What we like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. Nature at night is amazing too: shooting stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest…<br /> <br /> Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Event_information&diff=137466 2026-04-21T16:28:36Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> The following event information is applicable for all our events. Please feel free to point people to this page if they are looking for information on details for times, dates and other recurring event details.<br /> <br /> ==Tickets==<br /> When you book for an event the system will try to email you a booking confirmation email with an attached pdf ticket. Please print the ticket out, or bring it with you on your phone if that's easier. If you don't use email, you can log in to your PD account and download your ticket at any time. You will be asked to show your ticket when you arrive at the gate.<br /> <br /> If you are not sure if you are booked for the event, then you can check your booking status by logging in to [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/home your PD account] or by [mailto:admin@profounddecisions.co.uk emailing the head office].<br /> <br /> Please make sure that you have entered your car registration number on your PD account if you are travelling by car.<br /> <br /> If you have claimed the concessionary ticket price, please make sure that you email a copy of your proof of eligibility to the head office or bring a copy with you to the event.<br /> <br /> ==Arrival Times==<br /> Players are allowed on site from 13:00 (1pm) on the Thursday before the event starts. There is an additional charge of £10 to arrive one day early; this is paid on the gate and must be paid separately. This charge only applies to participants aged 16 or over. There is a card reader on the gate.<br /> <br /> The gate will close at approximately 10pm and will open again at 10am on Friday morning. If you are arriving after this time, there will be a number on the gate that you can call and security will open the gate to allow you in.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=DaveMcKennaWiki.jpg|align=right|width=300}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Time In==<br /> Empire begins at 6pm on Friday and ends at 1 am that night. On Saturday time in begins at 10 am and ends at 1 am. On Sunday time in begins at 10 am and ends at 3 pm.<br /> <br /> ==Time Out==<br /> The event ends at 3pm on Sunday, there are no vehicles allowed on site before this time. During take-down there is simply not enough room for everyone to bring their car onto the site while all the tents are still up. We need participants to make room for vehicles and be off as quickly as possible, otherwise the traffic on the site becomes gridlocked and nothing can move. For this reason you must take your tent down and pack up your belongings before you bring your vehicle on site, unless you need to bring your vehicle on first for accessibility reasons (such as disability, fatigue, childcare, etc). Once everything is down and ready to be packed away, you can bring your car onto site (assuming ground conditions are reasonable), collect your stuff and go. We strongly recommend bringing a plastic sheet, tarpaulin or similar to protect your gear from any inclement weather.<br /> <br /> This rule applies up to 7pm on Sunday - after that time participants are free to drive onto site without needing to take their tents down first. We will actively review this deadline between events and move it earlier in the day if we are confident that we can do so without the site becoming deadlocked.<br /> <br /> ==Camping==<br /> If you are pitching an in-character tent, then you must make sure you liaise with your [[camp planner]] before pitching your tent. We are pressed for space in the IC field, so our camp planners will only be able to guarantee sleeping space on the IC field to people with accessibility or childcare needs.<br /> <br /> * Our camp planners will be asking everyone who is bringing an IC tent to the event whether it is required or optional.<br /> * &quot;Required&quot; tents include all tents for roleplaying in and any tents that need to be on the IC field for any accessibility reason (mobility, fatigue, childcare, etc).<br /> * &quot;Optional&quot; tents include any tents that could move to an OC field if required because they are just used for sleeping or storing equipment and aren’t needed for any accessibility reason.<br /> * You won’t be asked to justify or explain your choices - just mark your tent as optional or required with your camp planner.<br /> * If we run out of space, camp planners will move some or all of the sleeping tents labelled as optional to the new overflow fields we have hired. <br /> * The overflow fields are not in-character and don't form part of the Anvil game area, but they are adjacent to Anvil to keep walking distances to a minimum.<br /> * If we only need to move a few tents, we will ensure we aren't moving the same tents each time.<br /> <br /> If you are camping in the OOC area then you are welcome to camp in any suitable spot that is available provided you don't block any vehicle access ways. Check with a member of our traffic team if you are in any doubt.<br /> <br /> Please make sure you pitch your tent carefully and safely and follow the published guidance for [[site safety]].<br /> <br /> ==Weapons Check==<br /> <br /> You must take all weapons, bows, crossbows, shields, and projectiles (arrows and bolts) that you have brought to an event to a weapon checker to have them checked against our [[weapon checking]] guidelines. These items must be checked at every event you attend. If a weapon checker does not approve your equipment for use then you will usually be asked to put it in your tent or your car. If you are not satisfied with the decision then you may request a second opinion from our head weapon checker. The decision of the head weapon checker is final.<br /> <br /> If a weapon checker approves an item then they will attach a coloured elastic band to the item. We change the colour of the elastic bands for each event. You must not use any item for melee purposes unless you know it has been approved for that use.<br /> <br /> You can carry items such as a walking stick, wooden staff, or banner but they must never be used in melee, so they do not need checking with the weapon checkers. We do not allow anyone to have metal weapons at events except for display or sale purposes, so you may not carry one without our prior approval for each event.<br /> <br /> Weapons Check is situated in tent near the Sentinel Gate.<br /> <br /> ==Telephone==<br /> For appropriate use only, our on-site mobile number is 07817 133793. This will be staffed by Profound Decisions event team on the run up to the event, and held by our security team throughout the event. If you need to get hold of Profound Decisions to report an emergency then you can call this number.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Mhorish.jpg|align=right|width=500|caption=Mhorish Goodfood}}<br /> <br /> ==First Aid==<br /> * '''First aid is available 24/7 throughout the event'''<br /> The First Aid tent is immediately in front of GOD. Qualified first aid staff are available at all times here or via GOD. Please report any medical problems to First Aid or to any member of staff with a radio.<br /> <br /> ==Toilets==<br /> There are toilet blocks placed at appropriate locations all over the site. The location of the toilet blocks will be marked on the site map for each event.<br /> <br /> ==Food and Drink==<br /> Drinks and snacks are available from our fully IC tavern. The bar will be serving drinks on Thursday evening, but is OOC until time in on Friday. We have a wide range of caterers serving food and drinks listed below. They are joined in the IC area by Mhorish Good Food and Smokey Hole.<br /> <br /> All our OOC caterers can be found in our new Trade Court area from 2024 onwards.<br /> <br /> ===Bean There Drunk That===<br /> [https://www.facebook.com/beantheredrunkthat/ Bean There Drunk That] specialises in artisan coffee and fresh-fruit smoothies. We use high-end beans from one of the country's finest roasters. Always Organic, Direct-Trade and freshly roasted in small batches, there's a real difference in both flavours and effect when compared to a standard espresso.<br /> <br /> Our fresh-fruit smoothies are really popular with kids and we offer a selection of milkshakes, iced coffees, specials and a range of snacks.<br /> <br /> ===Cantina El Burrito===<br /> The [[Cantina El Burrito]] will be providing a range of tasty Mexican dishes. For more details of the planned menu see the [[Cantina El Burrito]] page.<br /> &lt;!--<br /> {{PDFLink|caption=Jabberwocky menu|link=https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/resources/downloads/LARPMenuApril2022.pdf|align=left}}<br /> --&gt;<br /> ===Fresh Roots===<br /> Fresh Roots will be serving a range of vegetarian meals.<br /> <br /> ===Get Smoked===<br /> Get Smoked BBQ is bringing the heat. From 8:00–11:30 they're serving up banging breakfasts, then it’s straight into stacked burgers and smoky BBQ until late. Loaded with flavour, finished with their homemade sauces, and washed down with fresh lemonade — this is proper food done right.<br /> <br /> ===Jabberwocky===<br /> A wide range of delicious toasties starting from £5. All our toasties are made using local bread and high quality ingredients from local independent suppliers. Sandwiches are toasted to order on our unique presses.<br /> <br /> ===Mhorish Goodfood===<br /> Mhorish will be serving tasty, filling, hot meals from the kitchen next to the Skian Mhor trade stall in the market place.<br /> &lt;!--<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; grid-gap: 10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;div&gt;<br /> * Specials/Six Item Breakfast: £10.50<br /> * Beef Burger - £8<br /> * Cheese Burger - £8.50<br /> * Double Cheese Burger - £12<br /> ** + bacon/black pudding - £1&lt;br&gt;<br /> ** + egg/cheese – 50p&lt;br&gt;<br /> * Chicken Burger - £8<br /> * Mozzarella Burger (v) - £8<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;div&gt;<br /> * Spicy Bean Burger (ve) - £8<br /> * Nuggets and Chips - £7<br /> * Chips - £3.50<br /> * Cheesy Chips - £4<br /> * 3 things in a thing - £6<br /> ** Bacon, Sausage, black pudding, egg, veggie sausage. Cheese extra 50p<br /> * Mighty Mhorish - £13<br /> ** Burger, sausage, bacon, black pudding, fried egg, and cheese.<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> Meal tickets are currently £9.50 per meal. We also offer a 50p discount if you bring your own food receptacle and cutlery and/or drink receptacle.--&gt;<br /> &lt;!--<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=spicybox.jpeg|caption=Spicy Box menu.|align=right|width=300}}--&gt;<br /> ===Pizza Yule Love===<br /> Delicious 12&quot; pizzas starting from £8.00 and cooked in ninety seconds. The new menu includes three types of veggie pizzas and the option for vegan cheese as well as their monster nachos which is enough to feed four hungry LRPers that comes in meat, veggie or vegan options.<br /> <br /> ===The Ratt Shakk===<br /> The Ratt Shakk is an in-field, fully IC caterer for quick portable food made for LRPers by LRPers. At fest events, we do breakfast or daytime wraps with a choice of homemade sauces from 8:30am to around 9pm. Tom, the head Ratt, has been in the catering industry for 32 years, and a LRPer for 30, so he gets to do what he loves, for a community he loves. As Tom has been in the industry for so long, we can cater for the vast majority of dietary requirements, even at fests. Last year, we stepped into the fest scene after many years of catering smaller LRPs where they aim to theme the food to the setting as much as possible. The only constant is that Cookie and Sue (Tom and Donald) are characters in all of the settings.<br /> <br /> ===Smokey Hole===<br /> Smokey Hole will be serving good quality burgers and sausages from their stall on the edge of the Varushkan on the road leading to GOD. Breakfast is bacon sausage or vegan bap for £4, or £5 with a coffee. Lunch is a huge Cumberland sausage for £6.50, 6 oz cheeseburger for £7.50, or carvery roast pork bap with apple sauce for £6. Dinner is BBQ pulled pork baps with cheese.<br /> <br /> ===Spicy Box===<br /> Spicy Box offer a range of kebabs, curries and similar - see the adjacent menu for details.<br /> <br /> ===Tony's Ice Cream===<br /> Offering a range of delicious ice-creams.<br /> <br /> ===Yuleys Bratwurst===<br /> Yuleys Bratwurst sells a range of different bratwurst all cooked on charcoal. All served with German condiments, Mustard, Curry and Tom ketch in a soft sub roll.<br /> * 20” long Pork Bratwurst - £8<br /> * 10” long Pork Bratwurst, Ham and Cheese Bratwurst, Ham Bratwurst - £6<br /> <br /> [[Category:Events]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Site_safety&diff=137140 2026-04-16T16:07:11Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Please read all the following safety rules carefully. If you plan to take part in combat there are additional [[combat safety]] rules that you will need to read. Likewise, if you plan to use a bow or crossbow, you must read the [[bow safety]] rules. You must contact us in advance for permission before you engaging in any fire performance - and read the [[fire performance]] safety rules carefully.<br /> <br /> ==Vehicle Safety==<br /> * '''Please update your vehicle registration and contact number on your account and display your PID in your windscreen'''<br /> * '''You must observe the 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road'''<br /> * '''Use indicators as normal to indicate direction of travel, do not use hazard lights'''<br /> * '''No vehicles are permitted on the IC field during the hours of time-in'''<br /> <br /> If you are coming to the event by car, please update your vehicle registration and contact number on your PD account, so that we can find you to move your vehicle if needed for any reason. You must also display your PID in your windscreen while your car is on site. The gate team have paper slips available if you need one to write your PID on.<br /> <br /> There is a 10mph speed limit in place all across the site. You must reduce your speed to 10mph or less as soon as you turn off the road. Use indicators as normal to indicate direction of travel on site, do not use hazard lights.<br /> <br /> There are roads that go through the out-of-character camp, through Anvil and back. Vehicles are allowed to leave the road provided the conditions are acceptable, please check with a member of crew for further details when you are on site. No vehicles are allowed into the IC area while the game is running. See the site map for the [[events|event]] for a map of which parts of the site are accessible when. If you require vehicle access on the IC field, for example to leave site due to an emergency, go to GOD or speak to a member of crew with a radio who will arrange an official escort for you and your vehicle.<br /> <br /> ===Parking===<br /> * '''Form straight rows when pitching and parking in designated camping areas'''<br /> * '''No overnight parking in short stay parking'''<br /> * '''No sleeping in long stay or short stay parking'''<br /> <br /> To improve safety and security, please form straight rows when pitching and parking in designated OC areas. The traffic team will be on hand to assist at the beginning of the event. If you have any questions about where to pitch your tent or park your vehicle, please speak to the Traffic team who can direct you. <br /> <br /> Please do not park in short stay overnight. This area is designated for people who are coming and going each day. We understand there may be exceptions as plans may change. Do not move your vehicle if you are intoxicated; your safety is more important. You are welcome to sleep in your vehicle in the pitch and park areas if you wish to do so. You must sleep in the short or long stay parking areas. <br /> <br /> ==Tent Safety==<br /> * '''Your tent must be securely pegged and guyed down'''<br /> * '''You must follow tent safety instructions given by the site crew'''<br /> * '''If your tent is unsafe, you may be asked to remove it'''<br /> * '''If your tent presents an immediate danger, our crew will take necessary steps to secure it'''<br /> * '''These rules apply to tents on both OC and IC fields'''<br /> * '''Ensure your tent is a safe distance from other tents'''<br /> <br /> All tents pitched at a Profound Decisions event must be pitched safely. Unsafe tents can be a danger to other participants as well as their occupants. Our team will always act, if needed, to remedy any situation where they deem a tent to be unsafe. Our tent team can provide advice and help to ensure your tent is secure and pitched safely if you need any assistanec on the day. The [[costume]] page has guidance on [[Costume#In-Character_Tents|what tents are appropriate for the in-character field]].<br /> <br /> Before travelling to the event, check that you have all the parts of your tent, including pegs, poles, and ropes, and that your tent canvas is intact. Replace or repair any damaged or missing parts in advance. If, once you are on site, you discover that your tent is missing parts, or not in usable condition, please first try to seek help or borrow materials from other players, before asking crew. Our team will do our best to help if necessary, but be aware that we have a very limited supply of spare tent materials. We will offer what assistance we can, but in most cases we only have parts which are interchangeable between different styles of tents, such as pegs.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Campstatue.jpg|caption=Make sure your tent is secure.|align=right|width=450}}<br /> You must make sure that you pitch your tent carefully and safely. This includes pegging and guying down your tent securely to the ground. For most commercial out-of-character sleeping tents and in-character bell tents, all the materials you need to secure it will be provided by the manufacturer. You must use the guy-ropes supplied with your tent, or equivalent, even if you do not think the event will be windy.<br /> <br /> Large tents such as marquees and garage tents must be appropriately secured and may require additional guys or storm-lashings. Garage and frame tents with solid metal structures can be very dangerous in high winds if not secured. We will usually ask that you secure these tents with storm-lashings which pass over the entire body of the tent and are secured with sturdy ground anchors.<br /> <br /> Very lightweight tents, including some gazebos with aluminium frames, may require additional fixtures to keep them secure and prevent them blowing away in high winds. This may require pegs and guys beyond those provided by the manufacturer.<br /> <br /> If you have been given a tent that has been erected by our site team, you must not alter the location of the guy lines without speaking with a member of the site crew first, as these may impact the stability of the tent. <br /> <br /> An incorrectly pitched tent can present a danger to everyone. If our site crew (including camp planners) ask you to make any alterations to your tent, including taking it down or adding additional support, then you must follow the instructions given. If your tent cannot be made safe, we may need you to take it down.<br /> <br /> In an emergency, if your tent presents an immediate danger (for example: we assess it is about to collapse or blow away), our crew will take necessary steps to secure it. This could involve adding additional supports, or partially or completely dismantling your tent. We will make best efforts to do this without damage, but we have to prioritise safety in these circumstances. If we need to make an alteration to your tent for safety reasons and we cannot find you, we will leave a note on your tent or at GOD explaining what we have done and why.<br /> <br /> Tents should be far enough apart from each other that flames cannot easily spread from one to the next. The [[camp planner|camp planners]] can advise you when pitching your tents to support this.<br /> <br /> All these rules apply to tents on both the out-of-character and in-character fields. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Pathway.jpg|caption=Make sure your tent does not obscure paths.|align=left|width=450}}<br /> ===Pathways===<br /> * '''Do not stretch guy ropes into, or across, pathways'''<br /> Whether you are camping IC or OOC please ensure that the location of your tent and the guy ropes do not stray into pathways as this can cause injuries, especially at night. If you are camping IC and are not sure of the location of pathways in your nation, speak with your [[Camp_planner|camp planner]]. <br /> <br /> ===Mould===<br /> * '''Treat any mould on your tent with a fungicidal wash'''<br /> Mould can develop on tents if they are not carefully maintained. Mould is not just unsightly, it can lead to ill health and can damage the fabric of the tent. <br /> <br /> You are strongly recommended to check your tent before the event and if there is any mould present to properly treat it with a fungicidal wash<br /> <br /> ===Fighting===<br /> * '''Do not fight near tents'''<br /> You must not attempt to fight near a tent. More details are on the [[combat_safety#General_safety|combat safety page]].<br /> <br /> ==Fire Safety==<br /> * '''All campfires must be raised off the ground and in a suitable container'''<br /> * '''You must make sure it is well away from flammable objects and has plenty of clear space around it free of trip hazards'''<br /> * '''Take extra care when cooking at events'''<br /> <br /> All campfires at PD events must be raised off the ground, in a suitable container - the container should be positioned away from flammable objects, trip hazards, and so that any thoroughfare is possible without getting unduly close to it. Remember that wheelchair users and event attendees with large costumes might require more space than you to move past an area.<br /> <br /> Similarly, candles and lanterns should be held in suitable fixtures or containers, and placed so they neither risk being knocked onto something flammable, nor brushed into by accident. LED lights are always an acceptable alternative, and [[Technology#Lightstones|need not look like flame]].<br /> <br /> If the fire is to be in or around your tent, consider having the canvas treated with fire retardant (you can apply it yourself with paintbrushes or a cheap garden sprayer), and keeping fire fighting equipment nearby. At the very least, a good pair of boots can let you stamp out sparks before they spread.<br /> <br /> Any naked flame close to tent fabric increases the risk of an inadvertent fire. Please be aware of your surroundings when using cooking equipment and this includes understanding routes of escape if cooking inside a tent. <br /> <br /> ===Fighting===<br /> * '''Do not fight near a fire'''<br /> You must not attempt to fight near a fire. More details are on the [[Combat_safety#General_safety|combat safety page]].<br /> <br /> ===Supervision===<br /> * '''If you light a fire, it is your responsibility to ensure it is supervised and not left unattended'''<br /> * '''Any fire with a visible flame, or which is producing sparks or has unignited fuel on it must be extinguished before you leave it unattended'''<br /> * '''Any fire you are responsible for must be completely existinguished each night'''<br /> <br /> A fire with visible flame, one which is producing sparks, or one which has a hot bed of coals and unignited fuel on it, is a fire which presents an increased risk of igniting things around it. Such a fire should be supervised - that means having someone mature and sober enough to recognise danger and raise the alarm, that they should be within clear site of the fire near-constantly, and that they should be aware they have responsibility for it. Any fire you are responsible for must be completely extinguished each night. <br /> <br /> By igniting a fire, you are committing to the idea that someone will be available to supervise it until it is extinguished or dampened. It is always acceptable to declare yourself [[combat_safety#Non-contact|Non-Contact]] if combat or the threat thereof, would otherwise oblige you to leave a fire unattended. Always keep a bucket of water or fire fighting equipment, nearby to ensure that the fire can be put out at any time, if needed.<br /> <br /> To make a fire safe, remove as much unignited fuel from it as possible, and then spread the burning material as widely as possible within the container it has been laid in. This will leave a bed of very hot ashes, but you will generally find it quickly stops having any visible flame, or emitting any sparks, which vastly reduces the risk of it spreading outside its container. At the end of the evening, douse the ashes with water, or put a suitable airtight lid on the container, to extinguish the fire completely.<br /> <br /> Similarly, candles and lanterns should not be left alone when lit.<br /> <br /> ===Disposal Of Ashes===<br /> * '''Hot ash disposal points are provided at multiple points around the site'''<br /> * '''Do not put hot ashes in the normal waste disposal under any circumstances'''<br /> <br /> Ashes remain hot far longer than you might expect. It is common for Saturday night's ashes to still be hot enough to melt straight through bin bags after time-out on Sunday.<br /> <br /> It is not acceptable to put hot ashes in the normal waste disposal, nor to dump ash on the ground anywhere at PD events.<br /> <br /> Instead, hot ash disposal points are provided for your use at multiple points on the site - before lighting a fire, know how you are going to get the ash to one of them. Ask at GOD if you are unable to locate an ash disposal point.<br /> <br /> ===Carbon Monoxide===<br /> * '''Do not use a BBQ or similar solid fuel heater inside a tent'''<br /> * '''Do not sleep in a tent with the remains of any sort of fire - this is a serious health hazard'''<br /> <br /> Carbon monoxide is a colourless, odourless and toxic gas produced when burning fuels such as charcoal briquettes, wood or coal. It is not dangerous when properly ventilated but burning these fuels inside a tent increases the risk of carbon monoxide poisoning.<br /> <br /> Carbon monoxide poisoning kills, and one source for it is fires and barbecues that appear extinguished. Do not use a BBQ or similar solid fuel heater inside a tent.<br /> <br /> There have been tragic cases of campers at other events who have brought a &quot;used&quot; disposable barbecue into their tent overnight, and perished. Do not sleep in a tent with the remains of any sort of fire. The only exception to this would be a properly installed, enclosed, stove - with a flue that vents outside the tent. In that case, please ensure that you have a carbon monoxide detector located inside the tent.<br /> <br /> ===Candles===<br /> * '''We strongly encourage the use of LED lights in Empire rather than candles'''<br /> * '''Do not use a candle in any tent where people are sleeping'''<br /> <br /> [[Technology#Lightstones|Lightstones]] are cheap and common in Empire - we encourage everyone to use LED lights rather than candles. Candles cannot be used in any tent where people are sleeping or in any modern fabric tents. They should not be used where young children are present, they should be placed away from children. They should be held in a sturdy non-flammable candle holder suitable for the task. Where candles are used in a tent the person in charge of that tent must ensure a suitable method of extinguishing fire is available. A bucket of water or sand is suitable. They must be extinguished when not supervised.<br /> <br /> ===Pyrotechnics===<br /> * '''You may not use pyrotechnics at Empire without prior permission'''<br /> * '''The only exception is for coloured flame effects'''<br /> <br /> We don't permit participants to use loud pyrotechnics explosives or pyrotechnics with significant safety issues at Empire. Our crew may use pyrotechnics at times for special effects, but they cannot be used by players or any crew member who is not approved by our sfx team to use them. <br /> <br /> There are a selection of commercial preparations intended to give a coloured flame effect in a campfire - they are often branded as &quot;magic flames&quot;, &quot;coloured flames&quot; or &quot;fire salts&quot;, and generally give a greenish-blue colour to the fire. The most common contain a mixture of Cupric Sulfate, Cupric Chloride and Polyvinyl Chloride. While these are technically pyrotechnics, you may use commercial preparations of this nature, so long as you follow the manufacturer's instructions. This means that if you pass them to other event attendees, you must make sure they also have access to a copy of the manufacturer's instructions. You must only use these preparations with the knowledge and consent of the person who is currently responsible for the fire in question.<br /> <br /> There are a range of small pyrotechnic devices such as smoke pellets, chimney testers, flash paper, vape-based 'smoke' effects which you can ask for permission to use in a personal capacity at the event. You can [mailto:fire@profounddecisions.co.uk email us] to discuss your request. If you are given permission to use a small pyrotechnic device of this kind, then only you may use it, you cannot give it to another participant to operate.<br /> <br /> ===If There is a Problem===<br /> * '''Please report any problem to the first member of crew with a radio that you can find'''<br /> * '''Do not tackle a fire unless you have suitable equipment available and it is clearly safe to do so'''<br /> * '''If a fire has become a danger then shout FIRE! loudly to draw the attention of the nearest member of crew'''<br /> * '''Withdraw from the area and stop shouting once a crew member arrives<br /> <br /> Profound Decisions will never introduce any plot or encounter involving a fire spreading in Anvil, as such, treat reports of fire spreading as OC information, and react accordingly.<br /> <br /> If you see a fire that is clearly in danger of spreading outside of its intended container, immediately take action to move yourself and anyone near it out of immediate danger, and then alert someone with a radio. The site crew will have access to firefighting equipment, and the local fire service will be alerted if the situation is severe enough. The event first aid team has specialist burns training and equipment available. If there is suitable equipment available and you are certain it is safe to do so, consider tackling the fire yourself, but err on the side of caution. Tents can be replaced; people cannot.<br /> <br /> If you see a fire in a state that you believe presents an immediate danger to people or property, or that you think will develop into one, calmly and politely alert the person supervising the fire to that situation. If you cannot identify that person, or you do not believe their response has mitigated the danger, then do not take any further action yourself, or engage in protracted discussion - alert PD crew instead (by way of anyone with a radio), and let them handle the situation.<br /> <br /> Do not attempt to fight a fire that has become well established - instead alert our crew as soon as possible. Alert the crew by shouting fire! as loudly as possible. Continue to do this until a member of crew equipped with a radio arrives on the scene. At that point stop shouting and withdraw from the area. The crew will respond to the fire.<br /> <br /> ==If You Need Help==<br /> * '''Help is available throughout the event'''<br /> * '''If you're not sure where to ask a question, GOD is the best place to start'''<br /> <br /> If you require medical assistance - go to first aid, or ask anyone with a radio to contact first aid on your behaviour.<br /> <br /> If you have site safety concerns- go to GOD, or ask anyone with a radio to contact GOD who will contact the appropriate team to respond.<br /> <br /> If you find youself feeling overwhelmed, anxious or distressed - speak to any member of crew, if they cannot assist you, they will contact [[participant welfare]].<br /> <br /> If you have a conduct problem to report - go to GOD, or ask anyone with a radio to contact [[conduct]]. Or if you prefer, you can email the conduct team after the event.<br /> <br /> If you have administrative or general queries - go to GOD and they will resolve them for you.<br /> <br /> {{Safety Links}}</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Event_information&diff=137139 2026-04-16T16:03:07Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> The following event information is applicable for all our events. Please feel free to point people to this page if they are looking for information on details for times, dates and other recurring event details.<br /> <br /> ==Tickets==<br /> When you book for an event the system will try to email you a booking confirmation email with an attached pdf ticket. Please print the ticket out, or bring it with you on your phone if that's easier. If you don't use email, you can log in to your PD account and download your ticket at any time. You will be asked to show your ticket when you arrive at the gate.<br /> <br /> If you are not sure if you are booked for the event, then you can check your booking status by logging in to [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/home your PD account] or by [mailto:admin@profounddecisions.co.uk emailing the head office].<br /> <br /> Please make sure that you have entered your car registration number on your PD account if you are travelling by car.<br /> <br /> If you have claimed the concessionary ticket price, please make sure that you email a copy of your proof of eligibility to the head office or bring a copy with you to the event.<br /> <br /> ==Arrival Times==<br /> Players are allowed on site from 13:00 (1pm) on the Thursday before the event starts. There is an additional charge of £10 to arrive one day early; this is paid on the gate and must be paid separately. This charge only applies to participants aged 16 or over. There is a card reader on the gate.<br /> <br /> The gate will close at approximately 10pm and will open again at 10am on Friday morning. If you are arriving after this time, there will be a number on the gate that you can call and security will open the gate to allow you in.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 300px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=DaveMcKennaWiki.jpg|align=right|width=300}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Time In==<br /> Empire begins at 6pm on Friday and ends at 1 am that night. On Saturday time in begins at 10 am and ends at 1 am. On Sunday time in begins at 10 am and ends at 3 pm.<br /> <br /> ==Time Out==<br /> The event ends at 3pm on Sunday, there are no vehicles allowed on site before this time. During take-down there is simply not enough room for everyone to bring their car onto the site while all the tents are still up. We need participants to make room for vehicles and be off as quickly as possible, otherwise the traffic on the site becomes gridlocked and nothing can move. For this reason you must take your tent down and pack up your belongings before you bring your vehicle on site, unless you need to bring your vehicle on first for accessibility reasons (such as disability, fatigue, childcare, etc). Once everything is down and ready to be packed away, you can bring your car onto site (assuming ground conditions are reasonable), collect your stuff and go. We strongly recommend bringing a plastic sheet, tarpaulin or similar to protect your gear from any inclement weather.<br /> <br /> This rule applies up to 7pm on Sunday - after that time participants are free to drive onto site without needing to take their tents down first. We will actively review this deadline between events and move it earlier in the day if we are confident that we can do so without the site becoming deadlocked.<br /> <br /> ==Camping==<br /> If you are pitching an in-character tent, then you must make sure you liaise with your [[camp planner]] before pitching your tent. We are pressed for space in the IC field, so our camp planners will only be able to guarantee sleeping space on the IC field to people with accessibility or childcare needs.<br /> <br /> * Our camp planners will be asking everyone who is bringing an IC tent to the event whether it is required or optional.<br /> * &quot;Required&quot; tents include all tents for roleplaying in and any tents that need to be on the IC field for any accessibility reason (mobility, fatigue, childcare, etc).<br /> * &quot;Optional&quot; tents include any tents that could move to an OC field if required because they are just used for sleeping or storing equipment and aren’t needed for any accessibility reason.<br /> * You won’t be asked to justify or explain your choices - just mark your tent as optional or required with your camp planner.<br /> * If we run out of space, camp planners will move some or all of the sleeping tents labelled as optional to the new overflow fields we have hired. <br /> * The overflow fields are not in-character and don't form part of the Anvil game area, but they are adjacent to Anvil to keep walking distances to a minimum.<br /> * If we only need to move a few tents, we will ensure we aren't moving the same tents each time.<br /> <br /> If you are camping in the OOC area then you are welcome to camp in any suitable spot that is available provided you don't block any vehicle access ways. Check with a member of our traffic team if you are in any doubt.<br /> <br /> Please make sure you pitch your tent carefully and safely and follow the published guidance for [[site safety]].<br /> <br /> ==Weapons Check==<br /> Bring your weapons to the weapon check point opposite the Sentinel Gate to get them checked by a Profound Decisions weapons checker before use. There will be a large grey banner on the tent to identify it. The best time to get your weapon checked is Friday day before the event starts where possible. <br /> <br /> If you are taking part in the battles then your weapons will need checking before each battle. The first time you get your weapon checked we will put a coloured rubber band coded for the event on it. On Saturday any weapon that isn't banded will be checked before it can be taken on the battlefield. On Sunday we will check all weapons before they go on the battlefield.<br /> <br /> Any weapon that fails a safety check will be tagged with a weapon-fail cable-tie and must be put stowed in an OOC area (or at GOD if you don't have access to any OOC area) until the end of the event.<br /> <br /> ==Telephone==<br /> For appropriate use only, our on-site mobile number is 07817 133793. This will be staffed by Profound Decisions event team on the run up to the event, and held by our security team throughout the event. If you need to get hold of Profound Decisions to report an emergency then you can call this number.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Mhorish.jpg|align=right|width=500|caption=Mhorish Goodfood}}<br /> <br /> ==First Aid==<br /> * '''First aid is available 24/7 throughout the event'''<br /> The First Aid tent is immediately in front of GOD. Qualified first aid staff are available at all times here or via GOD. Please report any medical problems to First Aid or to any member of staff with a radio.<br /> <br /> ==Toilets==<br /> There are toilet blocks placed at appropriate locations all over the site. The location of the toilet blocks will be marked on the site map for each event.<br /> <br /> ==Food and Drink==<br /> Drinks and snacks are available from our fully IC tavern. The bar will be serving drinks on Thursday evening, but is OOC until time in on Friday. We have a wide range of caterers serving food and drinks listed below. They are joined in the IC area by Mhorish Good Food and Smokey Hole.<br /> <br /> All our OOC caterers can be found in our new Trade Court area from 2024 onwards.<br /> <br /> ===Bean There Drunk That===<br /> [https://www.facebook.com/beantheredrunkthat/ Bean There Drunk That] specialises in artisan coffee and fresh-fruit smoothies. We use high-end beans from one of the country's finest roasters. Always Organic, Direct-Trade and freshly roasted in small batches, there's a real difference in both flavours and effect when compared to a standard espresso.<br /> <br /> Our fresh-fruit smoothies are really popular with kids and we offer a selection of milkshakes, iced coffees, specials and a range of snacks.<br /> <br /> ===Cantina El Burrito===<br /> The [[Cantina El Burrito]] will be providing a range of tasty Mexican dishes. For more details of the planned menu see the [[Cantina El Burrito]] page.<br /> &lt;!--<br /> {{PDFLink|caption=Jabberwocky menu|link=https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/resources/downloads/LARPMenuApril2022.pdf|align=left}}<br /> --&gt;<br /> ===Fresh Roots===<br /> Fresh Roots will be serving a range of vegetarian meals.<br /> <br /> ===Get Smoked===<br /> Get Smoked BBQ is bringing the heat. From 8:00–11:30 they're serving up banging breakfasts, then it’s straight into stacked burgers and smoky BBQ until late. Loaded with flavour, finished with their homemade sauces, and washed down with fresh lemonade — this is proper food done right.<br /> <br /> ===Jabberwocky===<br /> A wide range of delicious toasties starting from £5. All our toasties are made using local bread and high quality ingredients from local independent suppliers. Sandwiches are toasted to order on our unique presses.<br /> <br /> ===Mhorish Goodfood===<br /> Mhorish will be serving tasty, filling, hot meals from the kitchen next to the Skian Mhor trade stall in the market place.<br /> &lt;!--<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;display: grid; grid-template-columns: 1fr 1fr; grid-gap: 10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;div&gt;<br /> * Specials/Six Item Breakfast: £10.50<br /> * Beef Burger - £8<br /> * Cheese Burger - £8.50<br /> * Double Cheese Burger - £12<br /> ** + bacon/black pudding - £1&lt;br&gt;<br /> ** + egg/cheese – 50p&lt;br&gt;<br /> * Chicken Burger - £8<br /> * Mozzarella Burger (v) - £8<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;div&gt;<br /> * Spicy Bean Burger (ve) - £8<br /> * Nuggets and Chips - £7<br /> * Chips - £3.50<br /> * Cheesy Chips - £4<br /> * 3 things in a thing - £6<br /> ** Bacon, Sausage, black pudding, egg, veggie sausage. Cheese extra 50p<br /> * Mighty Mhorish - £13<br /> ** Burger, sausage, bacon, black pudding, fried egg, and cheese.<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> Meal tickets are currently £9.50 per meal. We also offer a 50p discount if you bring your own food receptacle and cutlery and/or drink receptacle.--&gt;<br /> &lt;!--<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=spicybox.jpeg|caption=Spicy Box menu.|align=right|width=300}}--&gt;<br /> ===Pizza Yule Love===<br /> Delicious 12&quot; pizzas starting from £8.00 and cooked in ninety seconds. The new menu includes three types of veggie pizzas and the option for vegan cheese as well as their monster nachos which is enough to feed four hungry LRPers that comes in meat, veggie or vegan options.<br /> <br /> ===The Ratt Shakk===<br /> The Ratt Shakk is an in-field, fully IC caterer for quick portable food made for LRPers by LRPers. At fest events, we do breakfast or daytime wraps with a choice of homemade sauces from 8:30am to around 9pm. Tom, the head Ratt, has been in the catering industry for 32 years, and a LRPer for 30, so he gets to do what he loves, for a community he loves. As Tom has been in the industry for so long, we can cater for the vast majority of dietary requirements, even at fests. Last year, we stepped into the fest scene after many years of catering smaller LRPs where they aim to theme the food to the setting as much as possible. The only constant is that Cookie and Sue (Tom and Donald) are characters in all of the settings.<br /> <br /> ===Smokey Hole===<br /> Smokey Hole will be serving good quality burgers and sausages from their stall on the edge of the Varushkan on the road leading to GOD. Breakfast is bacon sausage or vegan bap for £4, or £5 with a coffee. Lunch is a huge Cumberland sausage for £6.50, 6 oz cheeseburger for £7.50, or carvery roast pork bap with apple sauce for £6. Dinner is BBQ pulled pork baps with cheese.<br /> <br /> ===Spicy Box===<br /> Spicy Box offer a range of kebabs, curries and similar - see the adjacent menu for details.<br /> <br /> ===Tony's Ice Cream===<br /> Offering a range of delicious ice-creams.<br /> <br /> ===Yuleys Bratwurst===<br /> Yuleys Bratwurst sells a range of different bratwurst all cooked on charcoal. All served with German condiments, Mustard, Curry and Tom ketch in a soft sub roll.<br /> * 20” long Pork Bratwurst - £8<br /> * 10” long Pork Bratwurst, Ham and Cheese Bratwurst, Ham Bratwurst - £6<br /> <br /> [[Category:Events]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Steeplechase_LRP_Centre&diff=136816 2026-04-12T10:15:41Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> All our events are held at Steeplechase LRP Centre.<br /> &lt;!-- x<br /> ==Additional Fire Regulations==<br /> * '''Please note that there are additional [[fire regulations]] in force at this event.<br /> Due to the exceptionally hot dry summer that we have been having, the grass in the main camping fields has become very dry. That means there is an increased fire risk at the event, so we are putting in place additional [[fire regulations]] to manage this risk. Please make sure that you read these regulations carefully.<br /> --&gt;<br /> ==Site Address==<br /> The address is Steeplechase LRP Centre, Beach Road, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, CB24 8FP.<br /> <br /> ==Directions==<br /> Please ensure that you avoid coming to site via Cottenham as the roads are very narrow and congested in the village. Our suggested route avoids the village of Landbeach - it is slightly longer but avoids congestion. It is '''vital''' to follow these directions when you '''leave site at the end of the event'''. There will be significant delays for everyone if people try to go through the village to get to the A10.<br /> <br /> ===On Arrival===<br /> * '''Take the A14 to Cambridge'''<br /> * '''Leave the A14 at J33, take the A10 North for Ely'''<br /> * '''Follow the A10 for 5km, past Landbeach and Waterbeach'''<br /> * '''Take the slip road left onto Green End, signposted Cottenham 3, Landbeach 1'''<br /> * '''After 1km, Take the first right hand turn onto Cottenham Road, signposted for Cottenham'''<br /> * '''Drive 1.5km on Cottenham Road until it becomes Beach Road'''<br /> * '''The centre is the on the right - just opposite the lay-by'''<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: right; width: 600px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; clear: right;&quot;&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-A.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-2B.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-2E.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> ===On Departure===<br /> * '''Turn left onto Cottenham Road'''<br /> * '''Drive 1.5km, then turn left at the t-junction towards Streathem and Ely and away from Landbeach'''<br /> * '''Drive 1km until you reach the A10'''<br /> * '''Turn left onto the A10 heading north'''<br /> * '''Drive 750m to the roundabout, circle the roundabout, and back onto the A10 heading south'''<br /> * '''Follow the A10 until you reach the A14'''<br /> <br /> ==By Train==<br /> We recommend getting the train to Cambridge North. While Waterbeach is technically closer to site, it is a local village station with no amenities, a tiny car park we can’t run a coach from, and only two trains in each direction per hour compared with Cambridge North's 5. Cambridge central station is on the wrong side of the city.<br /> <br /> The PD is running the coach service from Cambridge North, <br /> <br /> ===Amenities at Cambridge North relevant to Empire-goers:===<br /> *Seating, though most of it's outdoors<br /> *Costa Coffee (takeaway only)<br /> *Co-op<br /> *Toilets including accessible- these are inside the ticket barriers.<br /> *Usually some kind of dubious food van in the daytime<br /> *Hotel<br /> *Step-free access throughout, via lifts and an overbridge. (always check on the day if you’re reliant on the lifts, they break more often than you’d hope)<br /> *Cambridge North is staffed at all times, there’s no ticket office but someone from the information desk can help with ticket machines if necessary.<br /> <br /> ===Why Cambridge North?===<br /> Waterbeach is technically closer to site, but is a local village station with no amenities, a tiny car park, and only two trains in each direction per hour compared with Cambridge North's five. Cambridge central station is on the wrong side of the city and difficult to drive to.<br /> <br /> The PD is running the coach service from Cambridge North. As you exit the train station, turn left and walk past the cycles to the rail replacement bus bay. We have liaised with the Station and collection will be from there.<br /> <br /> ==Cambridge North Shuttle Service==<br /> * '''We will operate a coach service between Cambridge North and the site'''<br /> * '''There is no charge for this service this year'''<br /> * '''You may not eat on the coach'''<br /> * '''There is a sign-up sheet in GOD for the Sunday shuttle'''<br /> <br /> We will operate a coach service collecting players from Cambridge North train station and bringing them to site and taking them back on Sunday. <br /> <br /> On Thursday coaches will run between 12.30 and 19.30. We will run continuously through these times. The round trip to the station and back is 60 minutes but traffic and loading will mean this will not run precisely to the hour. On Friday it will run in the same manner between 11.00 and 16.00.<br /> <br /> On Sunday returning coaches will run from 16.00. The first two coaches to leave at the end of the event are often heavily subscribed. There is a sign-up sheet available in GOD to ensure you have a space. We understand that people will be looking to leave to catch prebooked trains and ask that you sign up for the most appropriate coach to get you there on time. You will have to take a taxi or travel on a later coach if the earlier coach is full.<br /> <br /> There is no charge for this service this year.<br /> <br /> ==By Bus or Taxi==<br /> Bus routes are not very easy and you will need to get 2 buses, the guided bus to Histon and then change onto a number 8. The walk to site from the bus stop in Cottenham is on a national speed limit road with no pavement.<br /> <br /> If you want a taxi you’ll need to summon it most of the time, they only show up to the station on spec at rush hour. Local firms include Veezu/Panther, CamCab and A1 Taxis. It costs about £20 to get a taxi to site. You should try to get the driver to take the PD recommended route for cars avoiding Landbeach if possible. Uber does exist in Cambridge,<br /> <br /> ==On Site==<br /> * '''You must observe the 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road'''<br /> <br /> Turn right into the site from the main entrance off Beach Road opposite the lay-by. There is a 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road. Drive 250m up the site access track until you reach the gate. Profound Decisions gate team will be ready to receive you there. Our team will direct you where to camp. They will be able to answer any questions you have on the day and give you additional direction.<br /> <br /> There are roads that go through the out-of-character camp, through Anvil and back. Vehicles are allowed to leave the road provided the conditions are acceptable, please check with a member of crew for further details when you are on site.<br /> &lt;!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Sitemap2025.png|width=100%}}--&gt;<br /> ==OOC Camping Fields==<br /> There will be a space available for all participants who are camping OOC at the event. There is no need to book a spot in the OOC camping area - there is plenty of room here for everyone.<br /> <br /> ==IC Camping Fields==<br /> * '''If you want to camp in-character, then you must let your nation camp planner know'''<br /> * '''You must follow the rules for in-character camping and vehicle access'''<br /> <br /> Anvil is spread over the small woods and the two adjoining fields. If you wish to camp in-character, then you must let the [[camp planner]] for your nation know. There are [[Event_information#Camping|rules in place for in-character camping]], so we can only guarantee sleeping space on the IC field to people with accessibility or childcare needs. <br /> <br /> You can bring your car onto the in-character field to set up your camp. You can drive onto the roads through IC camping fields provided that you do so before time-in at 6pm, but you can only leave the roads if the weather is dry and the ground is in good condition. Space is at a premium on site and the spot where you stop to unload is likely to be needed by someone else to camp. For this reason, you must unload and set up your camp as quickly as you can and then move your vehicle off site as soon as you are done. You must not leave your vehicle on site over night.<br /> <br /> During take-down there is simply not enough room for everyone to bring their car onto the site while all the tents are still up. We need participants to make room for vehicles and be off as quickly as possible, otherwise the traffic on the site becomes gridlocked and nothing can move. For this reason you must take your tent down and pack up your belongings before you bring your vehicle on site, unless you need to bring your vehicle on first for accessibility reasons (such as disability, fatigue, childcare, etc). Once everything is down and ready to be packed away, you can bring your car onto site (assuming ground conditions are reasonable), collect your stuff and go. We strongly recommend bringing a plastic sheet, tarpaulin or similar to protect your gear from any inclement weather.<br /> <br /> This rule applies up to 7pm on Sunday - after that time participants are free to drive onto site without needing to take their tents down first. We will actively review this deadline between events and move it earlier in the day if we are confident that we can do so without the site becoming deadlocked.<br /> <br /> All these rules apply to the IC camping areas only, there are no equivalent restrictions on vehicle movements in the OOC or crew camping areas.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Camping Fields==<br /> * '''Camping for crew only'''<br /> The crew camping field is for crew only. Crew may choose to camp here or in any of the player camping areas. GOD, and monster will all operate from this area.<br /> &lt;!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Dadford Road Area.png|align=right|width=600}}--&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Accessibility Support==<br /> There are dedicated accessibility camps at all entrances to the site for anyone who needs to use them. We will provide additional support available where possible - email us at [mailto:accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk] to discuss what arrangements will suit you best. We aim to make our events accessible to all and will do everything we can to help you enjoy the event.<br /> <br /> ==Site regulations==<br /> ===Ground Fires===<br /> Fires must not be set on the ground, they must only be lit on something that keeps the fire off the ground. Existing fires should be completely extinguished each night. We are arranging firewood for the site. The site includes land that is actively farmed - so please do not throw rubbish that does not burn into campfires - particularly tins, bottles and bottle tops.<br /> <br /> ==Rubbish==<br /> Please make sure that all your rubbish is suitably bagged and disposed of in the skip before you leave site. Do not overfill your rubbish bags - more bags are available on request from GOD at any time. The skip is located in the main OOC field. Please ask for directions if you cannot find it.<br /> <br /> ==Amenities==<br /> The nearest large supermarket is Tesco on Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6AY. It provides fuel and four low-power EV charging outlets and can be accessed from the roundabout where the A14 meets the A10 on the way to the site. There is a major EV charging station, 30 fast-chargers, at Cambridge Services, which is about 15 miles away on the A14.<br /> <br /> There is a Co-op in Cottenham, on the high street (CB24 8QP), which is smaller but closer and has some parking round the back. There is also a greengrocers on High Street, [https://www.facebook.com/leswardltd/?locale=en_GB Les Ward] which closes at 17:30 on Friday and 16:00 on Saturday and a butchers [https://www.facebook.com/p/SSGawthroupSons-High-Class-Family-Butchers-100063570281170/?locale=en_GB S S Gawthroup &amp; Sons Ltd] which closes at 17:00 on Friday and 13:00 on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Cottenham has [https://www.rumblescottenham.co.uk/ Rumbles] chip shop and an award-winning [https://www.currypalacecottenham.com/ Indian Restaurant] both of which are on the high street and open seven days a week. <br /> <br /> There are three small cafes in Cottenham, [https://www.facebook.com/Notjustbaguettes/ Not Just Baguettes], [https://www.cottenhamcc.org/ Cottenham Community Centre], and [https://www.facebook.com/p/Baked-100089103853561/ Baked], all of which are on the high street and are open on Friday and Saturday. There’s also a lovely cafe, [https://emmaus.org.uk/cambridge/shop/joans-coffee-shop/ Joans Coffee Shop], on the A10 just before you turn off for the site. It’s run by the Emmaus charity, who work to end homelessness and serves pleasant food that's reasonably priced.<br /> <br /> [https://chequerscottenham.co.uk/ The Chequers] is the closest pub to the site and has some parking. They serve excellent food and are very keen to welcome live roleplayers to Cottenham. There is also [https://www.thehopbind.co.uk/ The Hop Bind] and the [https://www.facebook.com/p/Waggon-and-horses-cottenham-61571796549197/ Waggon and horses].<br /> <br /> ==Storage==<br /> It will be some time before we are able to offer storage on-site because of logistical and planning restrictions. There is a container storage facility called [https://www.selectedselfstorage.co.uk Selected Self Storage] at Grasshopper Business Park, Ely Road, Cambridge, CB25 9NN, which is 3 miles from site. We recommend contacting them early, as they have limited capacity, but can order additional containers to meet demand with sufficient warning.<br /> <br /> [[Category:The Game]]<br /> [[Category:Events]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Steeplechase_LRP_Centre&diff=136549 2026-04-08T14:35:39Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> All our events are held at Steeplechase LRP Centre.<br /> &lt;!-- x<br /> ==Additional Fire Regulations==<br /> * '''Please note that there are additional [[fire regulations]] in force at this event.<br /> Due to the exceptionally hot dry summer that we have been having, the grass in the main camping fields has become very dry. That means there is an increased fire risk at the event, so we are putting in place additional [[fire regulations]] to manage this risk. Please make sure that you read these regulations carefully.<br /> --&gt;<br /> ==Site Address==<br /> The address is Steeplechase LRP Centre, Beach Road, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, CB24 8FP.<br /> <br /> ==Directions==<br /> Please ensure that you avoid coming to site via Cottenham as the roads are very narrow and congested in the village. Our suggested route avoids the village of Landbeach - it is slightly longer but avoids congestion. It is '''vital''' to follow these directions when you '''leave site at the end of the event'''. There will be significant delays for everyone if people try to go through the village to get to the A10.<br /> <br /> ===On Arrival===<br /> * '''Take the A14 to Cambridge'''<br /> * '''Leave the A14 at J33, take the A10 North for Ely'''<br /> * '''Follow the A10 for 5km, past Landbeach and Waterbeach'''<br /> * '''Take the slip road left onto Green End, signposted Cottenham 3, Landbeach 1'''<br /> * '''After 1km, Take the first right hand turn onto Cottenham Road, signposted for Cottenham'''<br /> * '''Drive 1.5km on Cottenham Road until it becomes Beach Road'''<br /> * '''The centre is the on the right - just opposite the lay-by'''<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: right; width: 600px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; clear: right;&quot;&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-A.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-2B.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-2E.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> ===On Departure===<br /> * '''Turn left onto Cottenham Road'''<br /> * '''Drive 1.5km, then turn left at the t-junction towards Streathem and Ely and away from Landbeach'''<br /> * '''Drive 1km until you reach the A10'''<br /> * '''Turn left onto the A10 heading north'''<br /> * '''Drive 750m to the roundabout, circle the roundabout, and back onto the A10 heading south'''<br /> * '''Follow the A10 until you reach the A14'''<br /> <br /> ==By Train==<br /> We recommend getting the train to Cambridge North. While Waterbeach is technically closer to site, it is a local village station with no amenities, a tiny car park we can’t run a coach from, and only two trains in each direction per hour compared with Cambridge North's 5. Cambridge central station is on the wrong side of the city.<br /> <br /> The PD is running the coach service from Cambridge North, <br /> <br /> ===Amenities at Cambridge North relevant to Empire-goers:===<br /> -Seating, though most of it's outdoors<br /> -Costa Coffee (takeaway only)<br /> -Co-op<br /> -Toilets including accessible- these are inside the ticket barriers.<br /> -Usually some kind of dubious food van in the daytime<br /> -Hotel<br /> -Step-free access throughout, via lifts and an overbridge. (always check on the day if you’re reliant on the lifts, they break more often than you’d hope)<br /> -lCambridge North is staffed at all times, there’s no ticket office but someone from the information desk can help with ticket machines if necessary.<br /> <br /> ===Why Cambridge North?===<br /> Waterbeach is technically closer to site, but is a local village station with no amenities, a tiny car park you couldn't run a coach from, and only two trains in each direction per hour compared with Cambridge North's 5. Cambridge central station is on the wrong side of the city and difficult to drive to.<br /> <br /> The PD is running the coach service from Cambridge North, <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Cambridge North Shuttle Service==<br /> * '''We will operate a coach service between Cambridge North and the site'''<br /> * '''There is no charge for this service this year'''<br /> * '''You may not eat on the coach'''<br /> * '''There is a sign-up sheet in GOD for the Sunday shuttle'''<br /> <br /> We will operate a coach service collecting players from Cambridge North train station and bringing them to site and taking them back on Sunday. <br /> <br /> On Thursday coaches will run between 12.30 and 19.30. We will run continuously through these times. The round trip to the station and back is 60 minutes but traffic and loading will mean this will not run precisely to the hour. On Friday it will run in the same manner between 11.00 and 16.00.<br /> <br /> On Sunday returning coaches will run from 16.00. The first two coaches to leave at the end of the event are often heavily subscribed. There is a sign-up sheet available in GOD to ensure you have a space. We understand that people will be looking to leave to catch prebooked trains and ask that you sign up for the most appropriate coach to get you there on time. You will have to take a taxi or travel on a later coach if the earlier coach is full.<br /> <br /> There is no charge for this service this year.<br /> <br /> ==By Bus or Taxi==<br /> Bus routes are not very easy and you will need to get 2 buses, the guided bus to Histon and then change onto a number 8. The walk to site from the bus stop in Cottenham is on a national speed limit road with no pavement.<br /> <br /> If you want a taxi you’ll need to summon it most of the time, they only show up to the station on spec at rush hour. Local firms include Veezu/Panther, CamCab and A1 Taxis. It costs about £20 to get a taxi to site. You should try to get the driver to take the PD recommended route for cars avoiding Landbeach if possible. Uber does exist in Cambridge,<br /> <br /> ==On Site==<br /> * '''You must observe the 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road'''<br /> <br /> Turn right into the site from the main entrance off Beach Road opposite the lay-by. There is a 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road. Drive 250m up the site access track until you reach the gate. Profound Decisions gate team will be ready to receive you there. Our team will direct you where to camp. They will be able to answer any questions you have on the day and give you additional direction.<br /> <br /> There are roads that go through the out-of-character camp, through Anvil and back. Vehicles are allowed to leave the road provided the conditions are acceptable, please check with a member of crew for further details when you are on site.<br /> &lt;!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Sitemap2025.png|width=100%}}--&gt;<br /> ==OOC Camping Fields==<br /> There will be a space available for all participants who are camping OOC at the event. There is no need to book a spot in the OOC camping area - there is plenty of room here for everyone.<br /> <br /> ==IC Camping Fields==<br /> * '''If you want to camp in-character, then you must let your nation camp planner know'''<br /> * '''You must follow the rules for in-character camping and vehicle access'''<br /> <br /> Anvil is spread over the small woods and the two adjoining fields. If you wish to camp in-character, then you must let the [[camp planner]] for your nation know. There are [[Event_information#Camping|rules in place for in-character camping]], so we can only guarantee sleeping space on the IC field to people with accessibility or childcare needs. <br /> <br /> You can bring your car onto the in-character field to set up your camp. You can drive onto the roads through IC camping fields provided that you do so before time-in at 6pm, but you can only leave the roads if the weather is dry and the ground is in good condition. Space is at a premium on site and the spot where you stop to unload is likely to be needed by someone else to camp. For this reason, you must unload and set up your camp as quickly as you can and then move your vehicle off site as soon as you are done. You must not leave your vehicle on site over night.<br /> <br /> During take-down there is simply not enough room for everyone to bring their car onto the site while all the tents are still up. We need participants to make room for vehicles and be off as quickly as possible, otherwise the traffic on the site becomes gridlocked and nothing can move. For this reason you must take your tent down and pack up your belongings before you bring your vehicle on site, unless you need to bring your vehicle on first for accessibility reasons (such as disability, fatigue, childcare, etc). Once everything is down and ready to be packed away, you can bring your car onto site (assuming ground conditions are reasonable), collect your stuff and go. We strongly recommend bringing a plastic sheet, tarpaulin or similar to protect your gear from any inclement weather.<br /> <br /> This rule applies up to 7pm on Sunday - after that time participants are free to drive onto site without needing to take their tents down first. We will actively review this deadline between events and move it earlier in the day if we are confident that we can do so without the site becoming deadlocked.<br /> <br /> All these rules apply to the IC camping areas only, there are no equivalent restrictions on vehicle movements in the OOC or crew camping areas.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Camping Fields==<br /> * '''Camping for crew only'''<br /> The crew camping field is for crew only. Crew may choose to camp here or in any of the player camping areas. GOD, and monster will all operate from this area.<br /> &lt;!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Dadford Road Area.png|align=right|width=600}}--&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Accessibility Support==<br /> There are dedicated accessibility camps at all entrances to the site for anyone who needs to use them. We will provide additional support available where possible - email us at [mailto:accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk] to discuss what arrangements will suit you best. We aim to make our events accessible to all and will do everything we can to help you enjoy the event.<br /> <br /> ==Site regulations==<br /> ===Ground Fires===<br /> Fires must not be set on the ground, they must only be lit on something that keeps the fire off the ground. Existing fires should be completely extinguished each night. We are arranging firewood for the site. The site includes land that is actively farmed - so please do not throw rubbish that does not burn into campfires - particularly tins, bottles and bottle tops.<br /> <br /> ==Rubbish==<br /> Please make sure that all your rubbish is suitably bagged and disposed of in the skip before you leave site. Do not overfill your rubbish bags - more bags are available on request from GOD at any time. The skip is located in the main OOC field. Please ask for directions if you cannot find it.<br /> <br /> ==Amenities==<br /> The nearest large supermarket is Tesco on Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6AY. It provides fuel and four low-power EV charging outlets and can be accessed from the roundabout where the A14 meets the A10 on the way to the site. There is a major EV charging station, 30 fast-chargers, at Cambridge Services, which is about 15 miles away on the A14.<br /> <br /> There is a Co-op in Cottenham, on the high street (CB24 8QP), which is smaller but closer and has some parking round the back. There is also a greengrocers on High Street, [https://www.facebook.com/leswardltd/?locale=en_GB Les Ward] which closes at 17:30 on Friday and 16:00 on Saturday and a butchers [https://www.facebook.com/p/SSGawthroupSons-High-Class-Family-Butchers-100063570281170/?locale=en_GB S S Gawthroup &amp; Sons Ltd] which closes at 17:00 on Friday and 13:00 on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Cottenham has [https://www.rumblescottenham.co.uk/ Rumbles] chip shop and an award-winning [https://www.currypalacecottenham.com/ Indian Restaurant] both of which are on the high street and open seven days a week. <br /> <br /> There are three small cafes in Cottenham, [https://www.facebook.com/Notjustbaguettes/ Not Just Baguettes], [https://www.cottenhamcc.org/ Cottenham Community Centre], and [https://www.facebook.com/p/Baked-100089103853561/ Baked], all of which are on the high street and are open on Friday and Saturday. There’s also a lovely cafe, [https://emmaus.org.uk/cambridge/shop/joans-coffee-shop/ Joans Coffee Shop], on the A10 just before you turn off for the site. It’s run by the Emmaus charity, who work to end homelessness and serves pleasant food that's reasonably priced.<br /> <br /> [https://chequerscottenham.co.uk/ The Chequers] is the closest pub to the site and has some parking. They serve excellent food and are very keen to welcome live roleplayers to Cottenham. There is also [https://www.thehopbind.co.uk/ The Hop Bind] and the [https://www.facebook.com/p/Waggon-and-horses-cottenham-61571796549197/ Waggon and horses].<br /> <br /> ==Storage==<br /> It will be some time before we are able to offer storage on-site because of logistical and planning restrictions. There is a container storage facility called [https://www.selectedselfstorage.co.uk Selected Self Storage] at Grasshopper Business Park, Ely Road, Cambridge, CB25 9NN, which is 3 miles from site. We recommend contacting them early, as they have limited capacity, but can order additional containers to meet demand with sufficient warning.<br /> <br /> [[Category:The Game]]<br /> [[Category:Events]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=136548 2026-04-08T11:11:32Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Sparky Team==<br /> Currently we are looking for one new member for the Sparky team, to help roll out power &amp; lighting across the field.<br /> <br /> There's no specific technical knowledge needed for this role, we are looking for someone to help lay out cable, hang lights in tents, and other related tasks. <br /> <br /> ===How Much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''You can play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game, in an emergency you may be asked to assist the team'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Technical Knowledge is not required for this role'''<br /> * '''To be onsite from Thursday morning through to Monday early afternoon, to cover the majority of set up and take down'''<br /> * '''Working in a small tight knit team'''<br /> * ''' This is a physically demanding role, including a lot of heavy lifting, walking, and working up ladders.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Participant Welfare Team Member==<br /> <br /> Supporting All Participants Promoting Wellbeing Helping Keep the Event Enjoyable for All<br /> <br /> The Participant Welfare Team plays a vital role at Empire, offering calm, compassionate support to anybody who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling with their mental health during the event. Empire can be busy, intense, and unpredictable, and sometimes people need a safe space, a listening ear, or support while they figure out their next steps. That’s where Participant Welfare comes in.<br /> As a member of the Participant Welfare Team, you will be part of a small, dedicated group of volunteers with experience and/or training in mental health support.<br /> <br /> You’ll work closely other event teams—such as security, first aid, medical, Egregores, and conduct—to help ensure that every participant feels safe and able to enjoy the weekend.<br /> <br /> ===What You Will Do===<br /> <br /> * '''Respond to calls to support participants experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or who have become overwhelmed.'''<br /> * '''Offer calm, non judgemental listening support, while maintaining boundaries, we support people to regain stability so they can return to the game.'''<br /> * '''Meet participants wherever they are on site or take them to the private welfare tent if they need a quieter space, be aware the role will require walking across the site at times.'''<br /> * '''Make your own dynamic risk assessments, be prepared to deescalate emotionally charged situations. Know your own limits and be willing to ask if unsure about anything.'''<br /> * '''Debrief with your Head of Department after all calls. Be curious about different ways of doing things.'''<br /> * '''Be willing to attend training sessions and meetings between events.'''<br /> <br /> ===What the Role Isn’t===<br /> <br /> * '''The team is led by a qualified Psychotherapist but this not a therapeutic role.'''<br /> * '''You won’t be acting as a counsellor or delivering treatment. Instead, you’ll be offering nonjudgmental, short term emotional support to help people through a difficult moment. '''<br /> * '''When very distressed it is normal to feel helpless and want to be rescued, it is important to acknowledge and understand these dynamics, then gently empower the individual to make their own decisions, we support rather than do ‘to’ or ‘for’.'''<br /> <br /> ===How Much of the Event Will You See?===<br /> <br /> We are wanting crew who can commit to 5 shifts across the event. If you are in another crew role this is flexible and we would encourage you to contact us to discuss. <br /> The workload varies, you’ll be on call and on radio for your scheduled shifts, at these times you will need to be able respond to a radio so this will affect game play (may have to leave mid ritual), but you will still get to play a character.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> * '''Strong interpersonal and communication skills.'''<br /> * '''Non judgementa.l'''<br /> * '''Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and duty of care expectations.'''<br /> * '''Availability for scheduled shifts over the weekend to be discussed on an individual basis.'''<br /> * '''Willingness to learn from training and feedback.'''<br /> * '''Able to attend between event briefing and training sessions.'''<br /> * '''Helpful, not essential Experience or training in one or more of Mental health support and/or Emotional support work.'''<br /> <br /> ===What You’ll Bring===<br /> <br /> * '''Ability to stay calm and grounded when supporting someone in distress.'''<br /> * '''Empathy, patience, and compassion.'''<br /> * '''A supportive, non judgemental approach.'''<br /> * '''Respect for the autonomy and dignity of participants.'''<br /> * '''lear ethical boundaries and a calm presence.'''<br /> * '''A desire to help people feel safe and supported.'''<br /> <br /> ===How to Apply===<br /> <br /> * '''Please email Crew@profounddecisions.co.uk.'''<br /> * '''Ref: Participant Welfare crew role.'''<br /> * '''We’re currently looking to add to the team and will choose from the applicants who submit.'''<br /> * '''Due to the responsibility involved, we ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.'''<br /> * '''We’ll also have a casual chat style interview with shortlisted applicants — nothing formal, just a chance to get to know you, talk through the role, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> Your main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the Morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> We are on duty from 1am until 8am on Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). Our standard duties are patrolling the site, checking for unattended fires, keeping an eye on the site infrastructure, and helping event participants with any problems that may happen. Sometimes, we have to deal with more serious incidents; other times, nothing happens at all.<br /> <br /> Our main concern is the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important thing.<br /> <br /> What we like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. Nature at night is amazing too: shooting stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest…<br /> <br /> Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Egregores&diff=136534 2026-04-07T16:58:45Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>&lt;div style=&quot;float:left; width: 700px; clear:right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Egregang.png|align=left|caption=Every nation has an egregore spirit, which bonds with one or more citizens of that nation and offers support and guidance.|width=700}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ==Overview==<br /> * '''Are the first point of contact for players in each nation'''<br /> * '''A source of plot in the nation'''<br /> * '''Get players involved in the plot and in the politics of the nation'''<br /> * '''Encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of each nation'''<br /> * '''Are the radio operator in each camp'''<br /> Each nation has a single egregore spirit, created through ritual magic to represent the personification of the nation. The spirit may be present in more than one host body at any time. The ritual was created by the Brass Coast to ensure that the nations of the Empire retained their independent character and culture. In the game they act to encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of their nation. They are occasionally able to tell if a member of their nation is dead or alive.<br /> <br /> The egregores are an effective channel for plot writers to deliver plot &quot;news&quot; to the players about what is going on in their nation. They are part of the player support team and to try to help players get involved in the plot and also involved in the politics of the nation. <br /> <br /> They are a point of contact for Profound Decisions crew for players in a nation and will have a covert radio. This radio is for emergency situations, for example, needing to contact first aid.<br /> <br /> Some of the egregores are able to referee [[Create bond|bindings]] and [[rituals]]. You can check with your egregore if they are able to do this. If you wish to approach your egregore for non-urgent out-of-character business, please respect their roleplay and the roleplay of the people they are interacting with. Do not interrupt people who are roleplaying with the egregore with an out-of-character question unless it is urgent. Obviously, for a genuine emergency, you should get their attention as quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Egregores are not there to make decisions for the nation or provide leadership or direction. They may take a role in their nation's elections - they may even vote, but their role is to support the nation, not to lead it.<br /> <br /> Although any magician can open the [[Sentinel Gate]], to take an entire nation through requires an egregore to use their link to the nation to take them all through.<br /> <br /> There is no way to apply to become an Egregore - PD considers carefully potential candidates for Egregores and approaches them as and when they need them, partly because the requirements for the different nations can be quite varied.<br /> <br /> ==Current Egregores==<br /> &lt;table&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Nation&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Egregore Name&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;OOC names&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Brass Coast&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Brass_Coast_egregore|Dust, Flame and Glass]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Peter G, Claire D&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Dawn&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Dawn_Egregore|The Knight of Roses]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Keeley Knight, Jon Fry&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Highguard&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Highguard_Egregore|Escon]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Seph Steel, Carolyne&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Imperial Orcs&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Imperial_Orc_Egregore|Grud The Unshackled]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Ed Thurlow, Chris Penney&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The League&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[League_Egregore|Guise]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Jon Pam, Ben Sabin, Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The Marches&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Marches_Egregore|Jack-of-the-Marches]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Marc Fothergill, Maz Wilberforce, Dave Vyse Hartley&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Navarr&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Navarr_Egregore|Liaven]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Al Bevan, Elizabeth Simoens, Emma Rowden, Rich Andrews, Kate Rogers&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Urizen&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Urizen_Egregore|Menos]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Steve Alonso, Cheryl Hartford&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Varushka&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Varushka_Egregore|Mother Varushka]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Tansy Pye, Kirsty March&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Wintermark&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Wintermark_Egregore|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Harry Morris, John Haynes, Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Brass Coast===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> PeterGreen-Oli.png|Brass Coast: Peter G<br /> ClaireD-Beth.png|Brass Coast: Claire D<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Dawn===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KeeleyKnight-Oli.png|Dawn: Keeley Knight<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Highguard===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> SephSteel-Beth.png|Highguard: Seph Steel<br /> Highborn Egregore Escon Diadrah.jpg|Highguard: Carolyne<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Imperial Orcs===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> ChrisPenney-Beth.png|Imperial Orcs: Chris Penney<br /> EdThurlow-Oli.png|Imperial Orcs: Ed Thurlow<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The League===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> JonPam-Oli.png|League: Jon Pam<br /> LilithCoker-Oli.png|League: Lilith Coker<br /> BenSabin-Oli.png|League: Ben Sabin<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The Marches===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> MarcFothergill.jpg|Marches: Marc Fothergill<br /> MazWilberforce-Oli.png|Marches: Maz Wilberforce<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Navarr===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> File:Elizabeth-Simoens-Oli.png|Navarr: Elizabeth Simoens<br /> AlBevan.png|Navarr: Al Bevan<br /> Cassidy.jpg|Navarr: Emma Rowden<br /> Drew.jpg|Navarr: Richard Andrews<br /> KateRogers.jpeg|Navarr: Kate Rogers<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Urizen===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KassianiEgregore.png|Urizen: Cheryl Harford<br /> SteveAlonso-Oli.png|Urizen: Steve Alonso<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Varushka===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> TansyPye-Oli.png|Varushka: Tansy Pye<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Wintermark===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> HarryMorris-Oli.png|Wintermark: Harry Morris<br /> EmmaStanton.jpg|Wintermark: Emma Stanton<br /> JohnHaynes-Oli.png|Wintermark: John Haynes<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> [[Category:Egregore]]<br /> [[Category:The World]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Steeplechase_LRP_Centre&diff=136360 2026-04-01T11:10:21Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> All our events are held at Steeplechase LRP Centre.<br /> &lt;!-- x<br /> ==Additional Fire Regulations==<br /> * '''Please note that there are additional [[fire regulations]] in force at this event.<br /> Due to the exceptionally hot dry summer that we have been having, the grass in the main camping fields has become very dry. That means there is an increased fire risk at the event, so we are putting in place additional [[fire regulations]] to manage this risk. Please make sure that you read these regulations carefully.<br /> --&gt;<br /> ==Site Address==<br /> The address is Steeplechase LRP Centre, Beach Road, Cottenham, Cambridgeshire, CB24 8FP.<br /> <br /> ==Directions==<br /> Please ensure that you avoid coming to site via Cottenham as the roads are very narrow and congested in the village. Our suggested route avoids the village of Landbeach - it is slightly longer but avoids congestion. It is '''vital''' to follow these directions when you '''leave site at the end of the event'''. There will be significant delays for everyone if people try to go through the village to get to the A10.<br /> <br /> ===On Arrival===<br /> * '''Take the A14 to Cambridge'''<br /> * '''Leave the A14 at J33, take the A10 North for Ely'''<br /> * '''Follow the A10 for 5km, past Landbeach and Waterbeach'''<br /> * '''Take the slip road left onto Green End, signposted Cottenham 3, Landbeach 1'''<br /> * '''After 1km, Take the first right hand turn onto Cottenham Road, signposted for Cottenham'''<br /> * '''Drive 1.5km on Cottenham Road until it becomes Beach Road'''<br /> * '''The centre is the on the right - just opposite the lay-by'''<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: right; width: 600px; display: flex; flex-direction: column; clear: right;&quot;&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-A.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-2B.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cottenham-2E.png|align=right|width=600}}<br /> &lt;/div&gt;<br /> ===On Departure===<br /> * '''Turn left onto Cottenham Road'''<br /> * '''Drive 1.5km, then turn left at the t-junction towards Streathem and Ely and away from Landbeach'''<br /> * '''Drive 1km until you reach the A10'''<br /> * '''Turn left onto the A10 heading north'''<br /> * '''Drive 750m to the roundabout, circle the roundabout, and back onto the A10 heading south'''<br /> * '''Follow the A10 until you reach the A14'''<br /> <br /> ===By Train===<br /> The most convenient train station is Cambridge North.<br /> <br /> ===Cambridge North Shuttle Service===<br /> * '''We will operate a coach service between Cambridge North and the site'''<br /> * '''There is no charge for this service this year'''<br /> * '''You may not eat on the coach'''<br /> * '''There is a sign-up sheet in GOD for the Sunday shuttle'''<br /> <br /> We will operate a coach service collecting players from Cambridge North train station and bringing them to site and taking them back on Sunday. <br /> <br /> On Thursday coaches will run between 12.30 and 19.30. We will run continuously through these times. The round trip to the station and back is 60 minutes but traffic and loading will mean this will not run precisely to the hour. On Friday it will run in the same manner between 11.00 and 16.00.<br /> <br /> On Sunday returning coaches will run from 16.00. The first two coaches to leave at the end of the event are often heavily subscribed. There is a sign-up sheet available in GOD to ensure you have a space. We understand that people will be looking to leave to catch prebooked trains and ask that you sign up for the most appropriate coach to get you there on time. You will have to take a taxi or travel on a later coach if the earlier coach is full.<br /> <br /> There is no charge for this service this year.<br /> <br /> ===By Bus or Taxi===<br /> We will update this page with more information on bus and taxi services in the area soon.<br /> <br /> ==On Site==<br /> * '''You must observe the 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road'''<br /> <br /> Turn right into the site from the main entrance off Beach Road opposite the lay-by. There is a 10mph speed limit at all times once you leave the public road. Drive 250m up the site access track until you reach the gate. Profound Decisions gate team will be ready to receive you there. Our team will direct you where to camp. They will be able to answer any questions you have on the day and give you additional direction.<br /> <br /> There are roads that go through the out-of-character camp, through Anvil and back. Vehicles are allowed to leave the road provided the conditions are acceptable, please check with a member of crew for further details when you are on site.<br /> &lt;!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Sitemap2025.png|width=100%}}--&gt;<br /> ===OOC Camping Fields===<br /> There will be a space available for all participants who are camping OOC at the event. There is no need to book a spot in the OOC camping area - there is plenty of room here for everyone.<br /> <br /> ===IC Camping Fields===<br /> * '''If you want to camp in-character, then you must let your nation camp planner know'''<br /> * '''You must follow the rules for in-character camping and vehicle access'''<br /> <br /> Anvil is spread over the small woods and the two adjoining fields. If you wish to camp in-character, then you must let the [[camp planner]] for your nation know. There are [[Event_information#Camping|rules in place for in-character camping]], so we can only guarantee sleeping space on the IC field to people with accessibility or childcare needs. <br /> <br /> You can bring your car onto the in-character field to set up your camp. You can drive onto the roads through IC camping fields provided that you do so before time-in at 6pm, but you can only leave the roads if the weather is dry and the ground is in good condition. Space is at a premium on site and the spot where you stop to unload is likely to be needed by someone else to camp. For this reason, you must unload and set up your camp as quickly as you can and then move your vehicle off site as soon as you are done. You must not leave your vehicle on site over night.<br /> <br /> During take-down there is simply not enough room for everyone to bring their car onto the site while all the tents are still up. We need participants to make room for vehicles and be off as quickly as possible, otherwise the traffic on the site becomes gridlocked and nothing can move. For this reason you must take your tent down and pack up your belongings before you bring your vehicle on site, unless you need to bring your vehicle on first for accessibility reasons (such as disability, fatigue, childcare, etc). Once everything is down and ready to be packed away, you can bring your car onto site (assuming ground conditions are reasonable), collect your stuff and go. We strongly recommend bringing a plastic sheet, tarpaulin or similar to protect your gear from any inclement weather.<br /> <br /> This rule applies up to 7pm on Sunday - after that time participants are free to drive onto site without needing to take their tents down first. We will actively review this deadline between events and move it earlier in the day if we are confident that we can do so without the site becoming deadlocked.<br /> <br /> All these rules apply to the IC camping areas only, there are no equivalent restrictions on vehicle movements in the OOC or crew camping areas.<br /> <br /> ===Crew Camping Fields===<br /> * '''Camping for crew only'''<br /> The crew camping field is for crew only. Crew may choose to camp here or in any of the player camping areas. GOD, and monster will all operate from this area.<br /> &lt;!--{{CaptionedImage|file=Dadford Road Area.png|align=right|width=600}}--&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Accessibility Support==<br /> There are dedicated accessibility camps at all entrances to the site for anyone who needs to use them. We will provide additional support available where possible - email us at [mailto:accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk accessibility@profounddecisions.co.uk] to discuss what arrangements will suit you best. We aim to make our events accessible to all and will do everything we can to help you enjoy the event.<br /> <br /> ==Site regulations==<br /> ===Ground Fires===<br /> Fires must not be set on the ground, they must only be lit on something that keeps the fire off the ground. Existing fires should be completely extinguished each night. We are arranging firewood for the site. The site includes land that is actively farmed - so please do not throw rubbish that does not burn into campfires - particularly tins, bottles and bottle tops.<br /> <br /> ===Rubbish===<br /> Please make sure that all your rubbish is suitably bagged and disposed of in the skip before you leave site. Do not overfill your rubbish bags - more bags are available on request from GOD at any time. The skip is located in the main OOC field. Please ask for directions if you cannot find it.<br /> <br /> ==Amenities==<br /> The nearest large supermarket is Tesco on Cambridge Road, Milton, Cambridge, CB24 6AY. It provides fuel and four low-power EV charging outlets and can be accessed from the roundabout where the A14 meets the A10 on the way to the site. There is a major EV charging station, 30 fast-chargers, at Cambridge Services, which is about 15 miles away on the A14.<br /> <br /> There is a Co-op in Cottenham, on the high street (CB24 8QP), which is smaller but closer and has some parking round the back. There is also a greengrocers on High Street, [https://www.facebook.com/leswardltd/?locale=en_GB Les Ward] which closes at 17:30 on Friday and 16:00 on Saturday and a butchers [https://www.facebook.com/p/SSGawthroupSons-High-Class-Family-Butchers-100063570281170/?locale=en_GB S S Gawthroup &amp; Sons Ltd] which closes at 17:00 on Friday and 13:00 on Saturday.<br /> <br /> Cottenham has [https://www.rumblescottenham.co.uk/ Rumbles] chip shop and an award-winning [https://www.currypalacecottenham.com/ Indian Restaurant] both of which are on the high street and open seven days a week. <br /> <br /> There are three small cafes in Cottenham, [https://www.facebook.com/Notjustbaguettes/ Not Just Baguettes], [https://www.cottenhamcc.org/ Cottenham Community Centre], and [https://www.facebook.com/p/Baked-100089103853561/ Baked], all of which are on the high street and are open on Friday and Saturday. There’s also a lovely cafe, [https://emmaus.org.uk/cambridge/shop/joans-coffee-shop/ Joans Coffee Shop], on the A10 just before you turn off for the site. It’s run by the Emmaus charity, who work to end homelessness and serves pleasant food that's reasonably priced.<br /> <br /> [https://chequerscottenham.co.uk/ The Chequers] is the closest pub to the site and has some parking. They serve excellent food and are very keen to welcome live roleplayers to Cottenham. There is also [https://www.thehopbind.co.uk/ The Hop Bind] and the [https://www.facebook.com/p/Waggon-and-horses-cottenham-61571796549197/ Waggon and horses].<br /> <br /> ===Storage===<br /> It will be some time before we are able to offer storage on-site because of logistical and planning restrictions. There is a container storage facility called [https://www.selectedselfstorage.co.uk Selected Self Storage] at Grasshopper Business Park, Ely Road, Cambridge, CB25 9NN, which is 3 miles from site. We recommend contacting them early, as they have limited capacity, but can order additional containers to meet demand with sufficient warning.<br /> <br /> [[Category:The Game]]<br /> [[Category:Events]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=136225 2026-03-27T11:54:03Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Participant Welfare Team Member==<br /> <br /> Supporting All Participants Promoting Wellbeing Helping Keep the Event Enjoyable for All<br /> <br /> The Participant Welfare Team plays a vital role at Empire, offering calm, compassionate support to anybody who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling with their mental health during the event. Empire can be busy, intense, and unpredictable, and sometimes people need a safe space, a listening ear, or support while they figure out their next steps. That’s where Participant Welfare comes in.<br /> As a member of the Participant Welfare Team, you will be part of a small, dedicated group of volunteers with experience and/or training in mental health support.<br /> <br /> You’ll work closely other event teams—such as security, first aid, medical, Egregores, and conduct—to help ensure that every participant feels safe and able to enjoy the weekend.<br /> <br /> ===What You Will Do===<br /> <br /> * '''Respond to calls to support participants experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or who have become overwhelmed.'''<br /> * '''Offer calm, non judgemental listening support, while maintaining boundaries, we support people to regain stability so they can return to the game.'''<br /> * '''Meet participants wherever they are on site or take them to the private welfare tent if they need a quieter space, be aware the role will require walking across the site at times.'''<br /> * '''Make your own dynamic risk assessments, be prepared to deescalate emotionally charged situations. Know your own limits and be willing to ask if unsure about anything.'''<br /> * '''Debrief with your Head of Department after all calls. Be curious about different ways of doing things.'''<br /> * '''Be willing to attend training sessions and meetings between events.'''<br /> <br /> ===What the Role Isn’t===<br /> <br /> * '''The team is led by a qualified Psychotherapist but this not a therapeutic role.'''<br /> * '''You won’t be acting as a counsellor or delivering treatment. Instead, you’ll be offering nonjudgmental, short term emotional support to help people through a difficult moment. '''<br /> * '''When very distressed it is normal to feel helpless and want to be rescued, it is important to acknowledge and understand these dynamics, then gently empower the individual to make their own decisions, we support rather than do ‘to’ or ‘for’.'''<br /> <br /> ===How Much of the Event Will You See?===<br /> <br /> We are wanting crew who can commit to 5 shifts across the event. If you are in another crew role this is flexible and we would encourage you to contact us to discuss. <br /> The workload varies, you’ll be on call and on radio for your scheduled shifts, at these times you will need to be able respond to a radio so this will affect game play (may have to leave mid ritual), but you will still get to play a character.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> * '''Strong interpersonal and communication skills.'''<br /> * '''Non judgementa.l'''<br /> * '''Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and duty of care expectations.'''<br /> * '''Availability for scheduled shifts over the weekend to be discussed on an individual basis.'''<br /> * '''Willingness to learn from training and feedback.'''<br /> * '''Able to attend between event briefing and training sessions.'''<br /> * '''Helpful, not essential Experience or training in one or more of Mental health support and/or Emotional support work.'''<br /> <br /> ===What You’ll Bring===<br /> <br /> * '''Ability to stay calm and grounded when supporting someone in distress.'''<br /> * '''Empathy, patience, and compassion.'''<br /> * '''A supportive, non judgemental approach.'''<br /> * '''Respect for the autonomy and dignity of participants.'''<br /> * '''lear ethical boundaries and a calm presence.'''<br /> * '''A desire to help people feel safe and supported.'''<br /> <br /> ===How to Apply===<br /> <br /> * '''Please email Crew@profounddecisions.co.uk.'''<br /> * '''Ref: Participant Welfare crew role.'''<br /> * '''We’re currently looking to add to the team and will choose from the applicants who submit.'''<br /> * '''Due to the responsibility involved, we ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.'''<br /> * '''We’ll also have a casual chat style interview with shortlisted applicants — nothing formal, just a chance to get to know you, talk through the role, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> Your main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the Morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=136224 2026-03-27T11:53:19Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> ==Participant Welfare Team Member==<br /> <br /> Supporting All Participants Promoting Wellbeing Helping Keep the Event Enjoyable for All<br /> <br /> The Participant Welfare Team plays a vital role at Empire, offering calm, compassionate support to anybody who may be feeling overwhelmed, distressed, or struggling with their mental health during the event. Empire can be busy, intense, and unpredictable, and sometimes people need a safe space, a listening ear, or support while they figure out their next steps. That’s where Participant Welfare comes in.<br /> As a member of the Participant Welfare Team, you will be part of a small, dedicated group of volunteers with experience and/or training in mental health support.<br /> <br /> You’ll work closely other event teams—such as security, first aid, medical, Egregores, and conduct—to help ensure that every participant feels safe and able to enjoy the weekend.<br /> <br /> ===What You Will Do===<br /> <br /> * '''Respond to calls to support participants experiencing emotional distress, anxiety, or who have become overwhelmed.'''<br /> * '''Offer calm, non judgemental listening support, while maintaining boundaries, we support people to regain stability so they can return to the game.'''<br /> * '''Meet participants wherever they are on site or take them to the private welfare tent if they need a quieter space, be aware the role will require walking across the site at times.'''<br /> * '''Make your own dynamic risk assessments, be prepared to deescalate emotionally charged situations. Know your own limits and be willing to ask if unsure about anything.'''<br /> * '''Debrief with your Head of Department after all calls. Be curious about different ways of doing things.'''<br /> * '''Be willing to attend training sessions and meetings between events.'''<br /> <br /> ===What the Role Isn’t===<br /> <br /> * '''The team is led by a qualified Psychotherapist but this not a therapeutic role.'''<br /> * '''You won’t be acting as a counsellor or delivering treatment. Instead, you’ll be offering nonjudgmental, short term emotional support to help people through a difficult moment. '''<br /> * '''When very distressed it is normal to feel helpless and want to be rescued, it is important to acknowledge and understand these dynamics, then gently empower the individual to make their own decisions, we support rather than do ‘to’ or ‘for’.'''<br /> <br /> ===How Much of the Event Will You See?===<br /> <br /> We are wanting crew who can commit to 5 shifts across the event. If you are in another crew role this is flexible and we would encourage you to contact us to discuss. <br /> The workload varies, you’ll be on call and on radio for your scheduled shifts, at these times you will need to be able respond to a radio so this will affect game play (may have to leave mid ritual), but you will still get to play a character.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> * '''Strong interpersonal and communication skills.'''<br /> * '''Non judgementa.l'''<br /> * '''Ability to maintain confidentiality and follow safeguarding and duty of care expectations.'''<br /> * '''Availability for scheduled shifts over the weekend to be discussed on an individual basis.'''<br /> * '''Willingness to learn from training and feedback.'''<br /> * '''Able to attend between event briefing and training sessions.'''<br /> * '''Helpful, not essential Experience or training in one or more of Mental health support and/or Emotional support work.'''<br /> <br /> ===What You’ll Bring===<br /> <br /> * '''Ability to stay calm and grounded when supporting someone in distress.'''<br /> * '''Empathy, patience, and compassion.'''<br /> * '''A supportive, non judgemental approach.'''<br /> * '''Respect for the autonomy and dignity of participants.'''<br /> * '''lear ethical boundaries and a calm presence.'''<br /> * '''A desire to help people feel safe and supported.'''<br /> <br /> ===How to Apply===<br /> <br /> * '''Please email Crew@profounddecisions.co.uk.'''<br /> * '''Ref: Participant Welfare crew role.'''<br /> * '''We’re currently looking to add to the team and will choose from the applicants who submit.'''<br /> * '''Due to the responsibility involved, we ask you to fill out a short questionnaire.'''<br /> * '''We’ll also have a casual chat style interview with shortlisted applicants — nothing formal, just a chance to get to know you, talk through the role, and make sure it’s a good fit for everyone.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> Your main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the Morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=136143 2026-03-25T11:04:36Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Litter Picking==<br /> We're looking for a few more recruits to join the site crew team to do the litter-picking of the site after the event. The huge majority of our players are really good at cleaning up after themselves - but we still need to sweep the site to try and pick up the missed tent pegs and the bits of rubbish that have been missed or blown. There is always some rubbish that has blown into the farm ditches, and they need to be picked clean.<br /> <br /> It's not a difficult job, and it's not unpleasant for the most part, though it's not a job for the extremely squeamish as there is the odd piece of litter that is unsavoury in nature. There are litter pickers and gloves available for every member of the team. You do need to be able to walk long distances since you need to walk back and forth across the fields repeatedly.<br /> <br /> You don't have to be on-site early unless you want to be, but you will need to stay an entire extra day after the event finishes. We can only litter pick the site properly once everyone has left, so we need the team to start Sunday evening but work through most of Monday to get the job done quickly and efficiently.<br /> <br /> During the event, you're free to play a character and join in with the game as any other player would. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As one of the litter pickers, you will be working after the game on Sunday and then Monday through to the afternoon. This will leave the weekend free to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Remain on site until Monday afternoon'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be happy to walk long distances.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> Your main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the Morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc., then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role pre- and post-event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Events&diff=135225 2026-03-12T11:40:27Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Profound Decisions will run four Empire events each year. Although we are keen to give players the freedom to run their own Empire events if they wish, we believe it is also important for players to know what level of commitment and involvement a game presents. Therefore there will only ever be four Profound Decisions Empire events each year.<br /> <br /> ==Event Dates in 2026==<br /> OOC details for all our events in 2026 are below. If you have any questions about the details then please [mailto:admin@profounddecisions.co.uk email us] and we will endeavour to answer them for you.<br /> <br /> &lt;table style=&quot;width: auto;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;th style=&quot;color: white; background-color: DarkGray;&quot;&gt;Event&lt;/th&gt;<br /> &lt;th style=&quot;color: white; background-color: DarkGray;&quot;&gt;Start&lt;/th&gt;<br /> &lt;th style=&quot;color: white; background-color: DarkGray;&quot;&gt;End&lt;/th&gt;<br /> &lt;th style=&quot;color: white; background-color: DarkGray;&quot;&gt;Location&lt;/th&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Winter Solstice 2026|Winter Solstice 387YE]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;24&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; April&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;26&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; April&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Steeplechase LRP Centre]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Spring Equinox 2026|Spring Equinox 388YE]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;12&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; June&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;14&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; June&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Steeplechase LRP Centre]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Summer Solstice 2026|Summer Solstice 388YE]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;24&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; July&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;26&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; July&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Steeplechase LRP Centre]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Autumn Equinox 2026|Autumn Equinox 388YE]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;11&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; September&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;13&lt;sup&gt;th&lt;/sup&gt; September&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td&gt;[[Steeplechase LRP Centre]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Time-in and Time-out==<br /> Time in is at 6pm on Friday and 10am on Saturday and Sunday morning. Time-out is at 1am Saturday morning and Sunday morning. The event ends with final time-out at 3pm on Sunday.<br /> <br /> ==Early Arrival==<br /> Although there is no role-playing before time-in on Friday, you are very welcome to arrive early to begin setting up your camp. The bar will be open on Thursday evening, and our caterers will be aiming to provide hot food. Please enjoy this opportunity to socialise out-of-character.<br /> <br /> The earliest that you can arrive is 1:00 pm on the Thursday before each event. There is an additional charge of £10 for anyone who stays on site on Thursday night, which must be paid at the gate using card or cash.<br /> <br /> ==Location==<br /> All our events in 2026 will be held at [[Steeplechase LRP Centre]], off Beach Road, near Cottenham in Cambridgeshire.<br /> <br /> ==Booking and Prices==<br /> Online booking is available for all Profound Decisions events via our [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/ online account system]. Please create an account, enter your details and choose which events you wish to attend. You can even use the online booking system if you wish to pay by cheque as the system will give you a single booking reference to write on the back of your cheque.<br /> <br /> All our events cost £80 if booked well in advance. The price rises after the early booking deadline and then again if you pay on the gate. Please see our [http://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/event/deadlines ticket booking deadlines] for details. Various discounts are available and all discounts are cumulative.<br /> <br /> ===Multi-booking Discounts===<br /> If you book for more than one event simultaneously then you are receive a £5 discount for each additional event that you book. For example, if you book for three events then you are eligible for a discount of £10 from the total price. <br /> <br /> ===Concessions===<br /> Players are eligible for a discount of £25 off the price of each event if they are eligible for concessions. Anyone who is a full time student, a full time member of the armed services, a pensioner, or receives state benefits as their main income is eligible for the concession on the ticket price. You only have to be eligible at the point where you provide the proof of your eligibility, so students can claim the discount for the year even if their course ends in the Summer.<br /> <br /> You must provide proof of your eligibility. The best way to do this is to email proof to us at [mailto:admin@profounddecisions.co.uk admin@profounddecisions.co.uk] after you have booked. We can then mark your entire booking as having the concession confirmed. If you don't do this then you will need to bring proof to the event and then queue up in a long queue at GOD before you can play. Please don't do this, it's bad for you and bad for us! Email us a scan of your proof and we will log it to your account.<br /> <br /> ==Payment==<br /> ===Ebanking===<br /> You can pay for your ticket with a simple bank transfer, which is quick and easy especially if you use internet or telephone banking. The online booking system will provide you with a simple reference number to use when making your booking. This reference number is unique for your account and never changes.<br /> <br /> Bank transfers are by far the cheapest way for us to take payment. If you do not mind what payment method you use then please pay by bank transfer as it helps us considerably.<br /> <br /> ===Standing Orders===<br /> You can set up a standing order to pay for your tickets. The online booking system will provide you with a simple reference number to use when making your booking. This reference number is unique for your account and never changes. We do not get charged for standing order payments, so like bank transfers, it helps us out considerably if you choose to pay this way.<br /> <br /> ===Cheque===<br /> Profound Decisions no longer accepts cheques as a valid form of payment.<br /> <br /> ===Card Payments===<br /> Your can use most cards to pay for your bookings if you use the online booking system. If you don't wish to enter your details online then you can phone the office on 01772 724152 and we can process a card payment for you. <br /> <br /> ==Cancellations and Transfers==<br /> You may cancel or transfer a ticket for an event if you inform us before 6pm on the Friday that the event begins. You can inform us by sending an email or leaving a message on our answer machine. We reserve the right to charge a £5 administration fee for cancellations or transfers within two weeks of the start of an event.<br /> <br /> [[Category:The Game]]<br /> [[Category:Events]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=134747 2026-03-02T11:07:03Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Team Member ==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> You're main role will be to help out in the mornings between 0800 and 1200.<br /> Your main duties will be taking collection of the morrisons delivery, putting that away and helping with any lunch prep that is needed.<br /> You'll be asked to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop or 24 packs of water. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut during their shift to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be available for your first shift Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site wednesday or thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=133832 2026-02-02T13:07:54Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=133831 2026-02-02T13:06:33Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Plot Writer==<br /> <br /> Plot writers are the people who work behind the scenes to come up with ideas and encounters, that will then be brought to life in by the NPC and Skirmish team in the live field and through the wiki. You will discuss plot ideas with Matt and Andy and coordinate with the plot production teams, NPCs, Skirmish and egregores to make your plots happen. You’ll have access to Profound Decision’s infrastructure for running out<br /> <br /> Unlike other crew roles, being a plot writer involves a potentially significant amount of time and effort in between events. This will involve meetings to get your plot ideas refined and approved, discussion with other teams on Discord and then writeups of your plot on the Empire database so they can be run out. Due to the size of Empire and the need to organise with other teams, there is some bureaucracy involved, and running complicated plots can involve a level of project management with other teams. Empire does not use plot actuators/facilitators – it is expected that plot writers ensure everything is in place for their own plots, either doing things themselves or asking other teams to do so.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be a plot writer and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next. Depending on how much plot you write and how much time you spend running your plot out at the event, you may be able to spend your time in another crew role, like NPC, a Plot Production role or Referee. You may also be asked to help out with other plot writers to run out their own plot.<br /> <br /> Due to the responsibility involved, if you are interested you will need to fill out a short questionnaire. We are currently looking at adding 2 positions to the team, and will choose from among applicants who submit. Prior larp writing experience isn’t necessary, but applicants would ideally have some experience in project or creative management and/or a good understanding of the Empire setting. Each application will be reviewed on its own merits to ensure we have a broad range of styles in the team.<br /> <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> <br /> '''You will potentially see the encounters you run out and may see things as an NPC, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on running out encounters backstage.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> <br /> *'''Be able to commit to meetings and writing related to your plot in before events'''<br /> *'''Be available from Friday afternoon at the event – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have one or more of: previous larp writing experience, project or creative management experience, good knowledge of the Empire setting'''<br /> *'''Be available to ensure your own plots run smoothly at the event and help with other plots if needed'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=129473 2025-12-17T19:34:28Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure you're confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=129467 2025-12-05T13:04:29Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners 2025 ==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=129466 2025-12-05T13:03:48Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=129449 2025-11-17T12:35:43Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=129448 2025-11-17T12:31:46Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Camp Ali Welfare==<br /> <br /> PD is currently looking for a crew welfare role Pre and Post event. This role is completely separate from the main Crew Welfare Dept and will be operating from a small, equipped kitchen in Camp Ali. We need this Role to start the Monday before the event and run up to the Wednesday lunchtime before the event starts. Then the crew member will be free to play the event, only checking in once per day over the event to date check the food in the fridge and to empty and restart the dishwasher. Then the role will recommence Monday lunch time after the event with Tuesday Lunch being the final meal.<br /> <br /> This role will require - meal planning, handling some complex dietary needs, shopping locally, ordering booking and receiving deliveries from Morrisons. Prepping and laying out of meals. Taking take away orders from crew (on specific nights) and ordering and receiving the takeaway. Managing food labels/dates and fridge management. Cleaning and maintaining the kitchen.<br /> <br /> This role currently provides meals for anywhere between 3 and 15 crew members and this requires the person to be able to operate flexibly to allow for 1 or 2 unexpected crew arrivals on the day.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully but with time set aside for daily checks and maintenance on the kitchen.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Monday morning until Tuesday afternoon the week after. This role could be shared between two people.<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=129222 2025-10-06T09:16:17Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=128718 2025-09-26T10:50:07Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=128717 2025-09-26T10:48:27Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Egregores&diff=128482 2025-09-24T11:37:30Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Current Egregores */</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;div style=&quot;float:left; width: 700px; clear:right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Egregang.png|align=left|caption=Every nation has an egregore spirit, which bonds with one or more citizens of that nation and offers support and guidance.|width=700}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ==Overview==<br /> * '''Are the first point of contact for players in each nation'''<br /> * '''A source of plot in the nation'''<br /> * '''Get players involved in the plot and in the politics of the nation'''<br /> * '''Encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of each nation'''<br /> * '''Are the radio operator in each camp'''<br /> Each nation has a single egregore spirit, created through ritual magic to represent the personification of the nation. The spirit may be present in more than one host body at any time. The ritual was created by the Brass Coast to ensure that the nations of the Empire retained their independent character and culture. In the game they act to encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of their nation. They are occasionally able to tell if a member of their nation is dead or alive.<br /> <br /> The egregores are an effective channel for plot writers to deliver plot &quot;news&quot; to the players about what is going on in their nation. They are part of the player support team and to try to help players get involved in the plot and also involved in the politics of the nation. <br /> <br /> They are a point of contact for Profound Decisions crew for players in a nation and will have a covert radio. This radio is for emergency situations, for example, needing to contact first aid.<br /> <br /> Some of the egregores are able to referee [[Create bond|bindings]] and [[rituals]]. You can check with your egregore if they are able to do this. If you wish to approach your egregore for non-urgent out-of-character business, please respect their roleplay and the roleplay of the people they are interacting with. Do not interrupt people who are roleplaying with the egregore with an out-of-character question unless it is urgent. Obviously, for a genuine emergency, you should get their attention as quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Egregores are not there to make decisions for the nation or provide leadership or direction. They may take a role in their nation's elections - they may even vote, but their role is to support the nation, not to lead it.<br /> <br /> Although any magician can open the [[Sentinel Gate]], to take an entire nation through requires an egregore to use their link to the nation to take them all through.<br /> <br /> There is no way to apply to become an Egregore - PD considers carefully potential candidates for Egregores and approaches them as and when they need them, partly because the requirements for the different nations can be quite varied.<br /> <br /> ==Current Egregores==<br /> &lt;table&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Nation&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Egregore Name&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;OOC names&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Brass Coast&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Brass_Coast_egregore|Dust, Flame and Glass]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Peter G, Claire D&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Dawn&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Dawn_Egregore|The Knight of Roses]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Keeley Knight, Jon Fry&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Highguard&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Highguard_Egregore|Escon]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Seph Steel, Carolyne&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Imperial Orcs&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Imperial_Orc_Egregore|Grud The Unshackled]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Ed Thurlow, Chris Penney&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The League&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[League_Egregore|Guise]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Jon Pam, Ben Sabin, Jade P, Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The Marches&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Marches_Egregore|Jack-of-the-Marches]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Marc Fothergill, Maz Wilberforce, Dave Vyse Hartley&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Navarr&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Navarr_Egregore|Liaven]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Al Bevan, Elizabeth Simoens, Emma Rowden, Rich Andrews, Kate Rogers&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Urizen&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Urizen_Egregore|Menos]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Steve Alonso, Cheryl Hartford&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Varushka&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Varushka_Egregore|Mother Varushka]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Tansy Pye, Kirsty March&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Wintermark&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Wintermark_Egregore|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Harry Morris, John Haynes, Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Brass Coast===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> PeterGreen-Oli.png|Brass Coast: Peter G<br /> ClaireD-Beth.png|Brass Coast: Claire D<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Dawn===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KeeleyKnight-Oli.png|Dawn: Keeley Knight<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Highguard===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> SephSteel-Beth.png|Highguard: Seph Steel<br /> Highborn Egregore Escon Diadrah.jpg|Highguard: Carolyne<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Imperial Orcs===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> ChrisPenney-Beth.png|Imperial Orcs: Chris Penney<br /> EdThurlow-Oli.png|Imperial Orcs: Ed Thurlow<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The League===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> JonPam-Oli.png|League: Jon Pam<br /> LilithCoker-Oli.png|League: Lilith Coker<br /> JadeP-Oli.png|League: Jade P<br /> BenSabin-Oli.png|League: Ben Sabin<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The Marches===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> MarcFothergill.jpg|Marches: Marc Fothergill<br /> MazWilberforce-Oli.png|Marches: Maz Wilberforce<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Navarr===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> File:Elizabeth-Simoens-Oli.png|Navarr: Elizabeth Simoens<br /> AlBevan.png|Navarr: Al Bevan<br /> Cassidy.jpg|Navarr: Emma Rowden<br /> Drew.jpg|Navarr: Richard Andrews<br /> KateRogers.jpeg|Navarr: Kate Rogers<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Urizen===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KassianiEgregore.png|Urizen: Cheryl Harford<br /> SteveAlonso-Oli.png|Urizen: Steve Alonso<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Varushka===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> TansyPye-Oli.png|Varushka: Tansy Pye<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Wintermark===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> HarryMorris-Oli.png|Wintermark: Harry Morris<br /> EmmaStanton.jpg|Wintermark: Emma Stanton<br /> JohnHaynes-Oli.png|Wintermark: John Haynes<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> [[Category:Egregore]]<br /> [[Category:The World]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Egregores&diff=128481 2025-09-24T11:36:53Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Brass Coast */</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;div style=&quot;float:left; width: 700px; clear:right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Egregang.png|align=left|caption=Every nation has an egregore spirit, which bonds with one or more citizens of that nation and offers support and guidance.|width=700}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ==Overview==<br /> * '''Are the first point of contact for players in each nation'''<br /> * '''A source of plot in the nation'''<br /> * '''Get players involved in the plot and in the politics of the nation'''<br /> * '''Encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of each nation'''<br /> * '''Are the radio operator in each camp'''<br /> Each nation has a single egregore spirit, created through ritual magic to represent the personification of the nation. The spirit may be present in more than one host body at any time. The ritual was created by the Brass Coast to ensure that the nations of the Empire retained their independent character and culture. In the game they act to encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of their nation. They are occasionally able to tell if a member of their nation is dead or alive.<br /> <br /> The egregores are an effective channel for plot writers to deliver plot &quot;news&quot; to the players about what is going on in their nation. They are part of the player support team and to try to help players get involved in the plot and also involved in the politics of the nation. <br /> <br /> They are a point of contact for Profound Decisions crew for players in a nation and will have a covert radio. This radio is for emergency situations, for example, needing to contact first aid.<br /> <br /> Some of the egregores are able to referee [[Create bond|bindings]] and [[rituals]]. You can check with your egregore if they are able to do this. If you wish to approach your egregore for non-urgent out-of-character business, please respect their roleplay and the roleplay of the people they are interacting with. Do not interrupt people who are roleplaying with the egregore with an out-of-character question unless it is urgent. Obviously, for a genuine emergency, you should get their attention as quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Egregores are not there to make decisions for the nation or provide leadership or direction. They may take a role in their nation's elections - they may even vote, but their role is to support the nation, not to lead it.<br /> <br /> Although any magician can open the [[Sentinel Gate]], to take an entire nation through requires an egregore to use their link to the nation to take them all through.<br /> <br /> There is no way to apply to become an Egregore - PD considers carefully potential candidates for Egregores and approaches them as and when they need them, partly because the requirements for the different nations can be quite varied.<br /> <br /> ==Current Egregores==<br /> &lt;table&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Nation&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Egregore Name&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;OOC names&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Brass Coast&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Brass_Coast_egregore|Dust, Flame and Glass]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Peter G, Rosie G, Claire D&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Dawn&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Dawn_Egregore|The Knight of Roses]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Keeley Knight, Jon Fry&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Highguard&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Highguard_Egregore|Escon]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Seph Steel, Carolyne&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Imperial Orcs&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Imperial_Orc_Egregore|Grud The Unshackled]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Ed Thurlow, Chris Penney&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The League&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[League_Egregore|Guise]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Jon Pam, Ben Sabin, Jade P, Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The Marches&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Marches_Egregore|Jack-of-the-Marches]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Marc Fothergill, Maz Wilberforce, Dave Vyse Hartley&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Navarr&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Navarr_Egregore|Liaven]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Al Bevan, Elizabeth Simoens, Emma Rowden, Rich Andrews, Kate Rogers&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Urizen&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Urizen_Egregore|Menos]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Steve Alonso, Cheryl Hartford&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Varushka&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Varushka_Egregore|Mother Varushka]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Tansy Pye, Kirsty March&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Wintermark&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Wintermark_Egregore|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Harry Morris, John Haynes, Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Brass Coast===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> PeterGreen-Oli.png|Brass Coast: Peter G<br /> ClaireD-Beth.png|Brass Coast: Claire D<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Dawn===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KeeleyKnight-Oli.png|Dawn: Keeley Knight<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Highguard===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> SephSteel-Beth.png|Highguard: Seph Steel<br /> Highborn Egregore Escon Diadrah.jpg|Highguard: Carolyne<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Imperial Orcs===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> ChrisPenney-Beth.png|Imperial Orcs: Chris Penney<br /> EdThurlow-Oli.png|Imperial Orcs: Ed Thurlow<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The League===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> JonPam-Oli.png|League: Jon Pam<br /> LilithCoker-Oli.png|League: Lilith Coker<br /> JadeP-Oli.png|League: Jade P<br /> BenSabin-Oli.png|League: Ben Sabin<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The Marches===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> MarcFothergill.jpg|Marches: Marc Fothergill<br /> MazWilberforce-Oli.png|Marches: Maz Wilberforce<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Navarr===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> File:Elizabeth-Simoens-Oli.png|Navarr: Elizabeth Simoens<br /> AlBevan.png|Navarr: Al Bevan<br /> Cassidy.jpg|Navarr: Emma Rowden<br /> Drew.jpg|Navarr: Richard Andrews<br /> KateRogers.jpeg|Navarr: Kate Rogers<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Urizen===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KassianiEgregore.png|Urizen: Cheryl Harford<br /> SteveAlonso-Oli.png|Urizen: Steve Alonso<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Varushka===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> TansyPye-Oli.png|Varushka: Tansy Pye<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Wintermark===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> HarryMorris-Oli.png|Wintermark: Harry Morris<br /> EmmaStanton.jpg|Wintermark: Emma Stanton<br /> JohnHaynes-Oli.png|Wintermark: John Haynes<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> [[Category:Egregore]]<br /> [[Category:The World]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Egregores&diff=128480 2025-09-24T11:36:38Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Dawn */</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;div style=&quot;float:left; width: 700px; clear:right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Egregang.png|align=left|caption=Every nation has an egregore spirit, which bonds with one or more citizens of that nation and offers support and guidance.|width=700}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ==Overview==<br /> * '''Are the first point of contact for players in each nation'''<br /> * '''A source of plot in the nation'''<br /> * '''Get players involved in the plot and in the politics of the nation'''<br /> * '''Encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of each nation'''<br /> * '''Are the radio operator in each camp'''<br /> Each nation has a single egregore spirit, created through ritual magic to represent the personification of the nation. The spirit may be present in more than one host body at any time. The ritual was created by the Brass Coast to ensure that the nations of the Empire retained their independent character and culture. In the game they act to encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of their nation. They are occasionally able to tell if a member of their nation is dead or alive.<br /> <br /> The egregores are an effective channel for plot writers to deliver plot &quot;news&quot; to the players about what is going on in their nation. They are part of the player support team and to try to help players get involved in the plot and also involved in the politics of the nation. <br /> <br /> They are a point of contact for Profound Decisions crew for players in a nation and will have a covert radio. This radio is for emergency situations, for example, needing to contact first aid.<br /> <br /> Some of the egregores are able to referee [[Create bond|bindings]] and [[rituals]]. You can check with your egregore if they are able to do this. If you wish to approach your egregore for non-urgent out-of-character business, please respect their roleplay and the roleplay of the people they are interacting with. Do not interrupt people who are roleplaying with the egregore with an out-of-character question unless it is urgent. Obviously, for a genuine emergency, you should get their attention as quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Egregores are not there to make decisions for the nation or provide leadership or direction. They may take a role in their nation's elections - they may even vote, but their role is to support the nation, not to lead it.<br /> <br /> Although any magician can open the [[Sentinel Gate]], to take an entire nation through requires an egregore to use their link to the nation to take them all through.<br /> <br /> There is no way to apply to become an Egregore - PD considers carefully potential candidates for Egregores and approaches them as and when they need them, partly because the requirements for the different nations can be quite varied.<br /> <br /> ==Current Egregores==<br /> &lt;table&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Nation&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Egregore Name&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;OOC names&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Brass Coast&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Brass_Coast_egregore|Dust, Flame and Glass]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Peter G, Rosie G, Claire D&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Dawn&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Dawn_Egregore|The Knight of Roses]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Keeley Knight, Jon Fry&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Highguard&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Highguard_Egregore|Escon]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Seph Steel, Carolyne&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Imperial Orcs&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Imperial_Orc_Egregore|Grud The Unshackled]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Ed Thurlow, Chris Penney&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The League&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[League_Egregore|Guise]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Jon Pam, Ben Sabin, Jade P, Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The Marches&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Marches_Egregore|Jack-of-the-Marches]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Marc Fothergill, Maz Wilberforce, Dave Vyse Hartley&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Navarr&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Navarr_Egregore|Liaven]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Al Bevan, Elizabeth Simoens, Emma Rowden, Rich Andrews, Kate Rogers&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Urizen&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Urizen_Egregore|Menos]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Steve Alonso, Cheryl Hartford&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Varushka&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Varushka_Egregore|Mother Varushka]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Tansy Pye, Kirsty March&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Wintermark&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Wintermark_Egregore|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Harry Morris, John Haynes, Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Brass Coast===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> PeterGreen-Oli.png|Brass Coast: Peter G<br /> Egregore Mazirua.jpg|Brass Coast: Rosie G<br /> ClaireD-Beth.png|Brass Coast: Claire D<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Dawn===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KeeleyKnight-Oli.png|Dawn: Keeley Knight<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Highguard===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> SephSteel-Beth.png|Highguard: Seph Steel<br /> Highborn Egregore Escon Diadrah.jpg|Highguard: Carolyne<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Imperial Orcs===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> ChrisPenney-Beth.png|Imperial Orcs: Chris Penney<br /> EdThurlow-Oli.png|Imperial Orcs: Ed Thurlow<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The League===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> JonPam-Oli.png|League: Jon Pam<br /> LilithCoker-Oli.png|League: Lilith Coker<br /> JadeP-Oli.png|League: Jade P<br /> BenSabin-Oli.png|League: Ben Sabin<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The Marches===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> MarcFothergill.jpg|Marches: Marc Fothergill<br /> MazWilberforce-Oli.png|Marches: Maz Wilberforce<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Navarr===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> File:Elizabeth-Simoens-Oli.png|Navarr: Elizabeth Simoens<br /> AlBevan.png|Navarr: Al Bevan<br /> Cassidy.jpg|Navarr: Emma Rowden<br /> Drew.jpg|Navarr: Richard Andrews<br /> KateRogers.jpeg|Navarr: Kate Rogers<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Urizen===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KassianiEgregore.png|Urizen: Cheryl Harford<br /> SteveAlonso-Oli.png|Urizen: Steve Alonso<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Varushka===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> TansyPye-Oli.png|Varushka: Tansy Pye<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Wintermark===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> HarryMorris-Oli.png|Wintermark: Harry Morris<br /> EmmaStanton.jpg|Wintermark: Emma Stanton<br /> JohnHaynes-Oli.png|Wintermark: John Haynes<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> [[Category:Egregore]]<br /> [[Category:The World]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Egregores&diff=128479 2025-09-24T11:35:30Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Current Egregores */</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;div style=&quot;float:left; width: 700px; clear:right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Egregang.png|align=left|caption=Every nation has an egregore spirit, which bonds with one or more citizens of that nation and offers support and guidance.|width=700}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ==Overview==<br /> * '''Are the first point of contact for players in each nation'''<br /> * '''A source of plot in the nation'''<br /> * '''Get players involved in the plot and in the politics of the nation'''<br /> * '''Encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of each nation'''<br /> * '''Are the radio operator in each camp'''<br /> Each nation has a single egregore spirit, created through ritual magic to represent the personification of the nation. The spirit may be present in more than one host body at any time. The ritual was created by the Brass Coast to ensure that the nations of the Empire retained their independent character and culture. In the game they act to encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of their nation. They are occasionally able to tell if a member of their nation is dead or alive.<br /> <br /> The egregores are an effective channel for plot writers to deliver plot &quot;news&quot; to the players about what is going on in their nation. They are part of the player support team and to try to help players get involved in the plot and also involved in the politics of the nation. <br /> <br /> They are a point of contact for Profound Decisions crew for players in a nation and will have a covert radio. This radio is for emergency situations, for example, needing to contact first aid.<br /> <br /> Some of the egregores are able to referee [[Create bond|bindings]] and [[rituals]]. You can check with your egregore if they are able to do this. If you wish to approach your egregore for non-urgent out-of-character business, please respect their roleplay and the roleplay of the people they are interacting with. Do not interrupt people who are roleplaying with the egregore with an out-of-character question unless it is urgent. Obviously, for a genuine emergency, you should get their attention as quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Egregores are not there to make decisions for the nation or provide leadership or direction. They may take a role in their nation's elections - they may even vote, but their role is to support the nation, not to lead it.<br /> <br /> Although any magician can open the [[Sentinel Gate]], to take an entire nation through requires an egregore to use their link to the nation to take them all through.<br /> <br /> There is no way to apply to become an Egregore - PD considers carefully potential candidates for Egregores and approaches them as and when they need them, partly because the requirements for the different nations can be quite varied.<br /> <br /> ==Current Egregores==<br /> &lt;table&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Nation&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Egregore Name&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;OOC names&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Brass Coast&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Brass_Coast_egregore|Dust, Flame and Glass]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Peter G, Rosie G, Claire D&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Dawn&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Dawn_Egregore|The Knight of Roses]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Keeley Knight, Jon Fry&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Highguard&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Highguard_Egregore|Escon]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Seph Steel, Carolyne&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Imperial Orcs&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Imperial_Orc_Egregore|Grud The Unshackled]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Ed Thurlow, Chris Penney&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The League&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[League_Egregore|Guise]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Jon Pam, Ben Sabin, Jade P, Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The Marches&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Marches_Egregore|Jack-of-the-Marches]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Marc Fothergill, Maz Wilberforce, Dave Vyse Hartley&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Navarr&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Navarr_Egregore|Liaven]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Al Bevan, Elizabeth Simoens, Emma Rowden, Rich Andrews, Kate Rogers&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Urizen&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Urizen_Egregore|Menos]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Steve Alonso, Cheryl Hartford&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Varushka&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Varushka_Egregore|Mother Varushka]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Tansy Pye, Kirsty March&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Wintermark&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Wintermark_Egregore|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Harry Morris, John Haynes, Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Brass Coast===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> PeterGreen-Oli.png|Brass Coast: Peter G<br /> Egregore Mazirua.jpg|Brass Coast: Rosie G<br /> ClaireD-Beth.png|Brass Coast: Claire D<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Dawn===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KeeleyKnight-Oli.png|Dawn: Keeley Knight<br /> SimonMoon-Oli.png|Dawn: Simon Moon<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Highguard===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> SephSteel-Beth.png|Highguard: Seph Steel<br /> Highborn Egregore Escon Diadrah.jpg|Highguard: Carolyne<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Imperial Orcs===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> ChrisPenney-Beth.png|Imperial Orcs: Chris Penney<br /> EdThurlow-Oli.png|Imperial Orcs: Ed Thurlow<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The League===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> JonPam-Oli.png|League: Jon Pam<br /> LilithCoker-Oli.png|League: Lilith Coker<br /> JadeP-Oli.png|League: Jade P<br /> BenSabin-Oli.png|League: Ben Sabin<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The Marches===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> MarcFothergill.jpg|Marches: Marc Fothergill<br /> MazWilberforce-Oli.png|Marches: Maz Wilberforce<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Navarr===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> File:Elizabeth-Simoens-Oli.png|Navarr: Elizabeth Simoens<br /> AlBevan.png|Navarr: Al Bevan<br /> Cassidy.jpg|Navarr: Emma Rowden<br /> Drew.jpg|Navarr: Richard Andrews<br /> KateRogers.jpeg|Navarr: Kate Rogers<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Urizen===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KassianiEgregore.png|Urizen: Cheryl Harford<br /> SteveAlonso-Oli.png|Urizen: Steve Alonso<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Varushka===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> TansyPye-Oli.png|Varushka: Tansy Pye<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Wintermark===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> HarryMorris-Oli.png|Wintermark: Harry Morris<br /> EmmaStanton.jpg|Wintermark: Emma Stanton<br /> JohnHaynes-Oli.png|Wintermark: John Haynes<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> [[Category:Egregore]]<br /> [[Category:The World]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=File:Herald_of_Llofir.jpg&diff=126603 2025-08-11T17:34:58Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>A Herald of Llofir (as portrayed by ::Lily Coker)<br /> <br /> [[Category:Photos:AgnesEklund]] [[:Category:Photos:AgnesEklund|Image by Agned Eklund]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=125961 2025-08-04T09:18:45Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=125910 2025-08-03T15:23:30Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=125425 2025-07-23T09:43:25Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin is clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=124157 2025-07-14T11:36:27Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialise in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare Cleaners==<br /> <br /> We are looking for a small team to pack and clean crew welfare at the end of each event. This would involve emptying and cleaning the crew welfare cabin and making sure the cabin in clean, wiping down surfaces and walls, mopping floors, cleaning fridges, etc. Then ensuring everything is packed away neatly and clean for the next event.<br /> All equipment would be provided and you will be working under the Head of Crew Welfare and Site Manager.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> You will be able to play the game fully.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from Sunday Afternoon until the job is finished. We expect this to be Monday evening but could roll into Tuesday morning.<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> <br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=123015 2025-07-08T15:07:27Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialize in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare==<br /> <br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare!<br /> <br /> We are looking for someone to put out, monitor and put away lunch Friday, Saturday and Sunday 12:00 to 15:00. This would be the primary blocks of time required but there would be some occasional assistance required throughout the day which would be agreed with the Head of Department on an as needed basis. <br /> <br /> Lunchtime would involve some minor salad food prep and washing of required utensils. You should expect some occasional sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and evicting of spiders/wasps (broom/bug zapper provided). You would also need to help check stock expiry dates and set out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. We would also need your help redistributing the Booker stock and giving tours where needed and pointing out where certain things are.<br /> This job does require some heavy lifting, eg 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop and can be quite physically demanding. <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> Apart from the core hours I am looking for you to cover, there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. You may be asked to drop in and out of crew welfare throughout the rest of the day to tidy up but this can be worked around any particular in game events you wish to attend.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday Afternoon/evening, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Nation_FAQ&diff=122409 2025-06-25T15:51:09Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Can I change nation in play? */</p> <hr /> <div>==Introduction==<br /> {{FAQ}}<br /> <br /> This section of the FAQ contains questions about [[Nation_overview|nations]]. For questions about other parts of the game, please see the [[General FAQ]].<br /> <br /> ==Can I change nation in play?==<br /> To be a member of an Imperial nation you must be accepted by the [[egregores|egregore]] of that nation. In effect, this means that an existing character who wants to change nation will need to seek out the egregore of the nation they wish to join and convince them to accept you into their nation. You should make sure you read the page on [[nationality]] so that you understand the implications of joining a new nation.<br /> <br /> If your character changes nation, after the egregore has accepted them into the new nation, you will need to make sure your character's updated nationality is recorded. The egregore may be able to do this for you, but normally you will need to go to [[GOD]] and ask one of the crew there to update your character data.<br /> <br /> Changing your nation does not automatically move your character's [[resource]]. Your resource is not moved but a new one can be allocated to you in your chosen territory by the Civil Service. If you wish your character to have a resource located in the new nation and terrotory, you will need to [[Resource#Changing resources|get a new resource in the new nation]]. If you do not do this, the resource will be subject to a [[Resource#Resources in other Nations|production penalty]]. Some [[rituals]] and some [[Senator#Appointment|elections]] will also be affected by your character having a resource that is not located in their nation. There is an in character admin fee of 2 crowns for this. Any rituals, effects or upgrades on your resource will not be carried across to the new one.<br /> <br /> ==Can I play a mixed-nation character?==<br /> All players must choose a single nation for their character. Although a character may have changed nation, the nature of the setting means that they should use the culture, costume and characterization of the nation they are a member of now. This page about [[nationality]] gives more information about why characters in Empire are from a single nation.<br /> <br /> ==Can we play a mixed-nation group?==<br /> At the event, the main field will be split into ten distinct camping areas, one for each of the nations and one for the Imperial Orcs. Nation is your primary source of identity and the key route into all the politics of the game, so any Marcher character that spends their time hanging around in the Dawnish camp is likely to be cut out of a significant portion of the game. For this reason alone we are actively discouraging mixed-nation groups and asking players to focus on creating a group that draws from one nation.<br /> <br /> There are significant rules penalties for mixed-nation groups. Characters take the battlefield by nation, so you cannot take the battlefield and fight together as a group. You can't be part of the same sect and gain any religious benefits and you can't be part of the same coven and work together to perform rituals. In addition you cannot participate in the politics together as the politics of Empire is segregated on national lines.<br /> <br /> All of these elements of the game have been deliberately designed to discourage players from playing in mixed nation groups, because we believe it is much more likely that players in mixed nations groups will have a very bad time. In addition to the significant rules penalties described above, you may be ostracised by your fellow players. If that happens you risk being cut out of the roleplaying of the camp, along with your inability to participate in the battles, rituals and politics of the Empire.<br /> <br /> It is important to point out that the nations are all part of a single Empire - they might have political differences on many issues but they are fundamentally on the same side. As such it is perfectly reasonable to begin the game having existing alliances and contacts with groups in other nations. If half of your friends want to come from Varushka and half want to play Winterfolk then we would advise you make two groups - one from each nation - and put links between them in your respective backgrounds. It's normal to have close friends and allies from other nations.<br /> <br /> ==Can I play an Imperial orc in the Marches?==<br /> Imperial orcs are a nation - they have their own camp, their own armies, their own generals and so on. Anyone planning to play an Imperial Orc should be based out of the Imperial Orc camp. Orcs can't join most Imperial nations (except for the League) as the egregore is not able to bond an orc to the nation. <br /> <br /> While we appreciate that this would make the character unique and be a point of interest for everyone who interacted with you - what it would do ultimately is undermine the unique nature of the Marches and of the Imperial Orcs - because each camp would become less and less distinct. We have taken the decision to say no to all these requests because otherwise the game would lose all identity, the character and flavour of each camp would be lost and the net result would be that the game became more bland for everyone.<br /> <br /> ==Can Imperial Orcs change nation?==<br /> It is not possible for a human character to join the Imperial orcs - or for an orc to join a nation other than the Imperial Orcs or the League. The reason for this decision is to preserve the character and flavour of each nation - the orc nation would quickly be watered down by the presence of any significant number of humans in their camp. Likewise, the unique character of the Imperial Orcs would quickly be lost if there were Imperial orcs in every nation.<br /> <br /> The in-character reason why this is not possible is that the magic of the egregore rejects any attempt for an individual, or small group, of a different species to join the nation. Regardless of the views of the individual egregore - and no matter how closely they attempt to follow that nation's customs - it is not possible for them to form a bond with the egregore. It is possible for larger groups to join a previously human nation - such as the Apulian orcs joining the League - but that is a major undertaking and under the purview of plot.<br /> <br /> ==Can I be a Dawnish knight without being Dawnish?==<br /> No. To be knighted is to be a member of a [[Dawn|Dawnish]] [[noble house]] - which means being a member of a Dawnish group - for which you must be Dawnish.<br /> <br /> ==Can a Steinr be a Stormcrow?==<br /> Yes, any Wintermark character, whether [[Steinr]], [[Suaq]], or [[Kallavesi]] can be a [[Wintermark religious beliefs|Stormcrow]].<br /> <br /> ==Can I be more than one archetype?==<br /> When you create your character you can choose a single character archetype from those described for the nation on the wiki. Archetypes are completely optional, you don't have to have one but it tells us a lot about what you consider to be the main role of your character, and we use them when writing '''some''' plots. For instance, if we are going to write some plot involving combat in Urizen - then we might aim that plot at players who have told us they are playing a [[sentinel]]. If we're writing plot involving ritual magic in Dawn then we'll look at who is playing an [[Earl#Enchanters|enchanter]].<br /> <br /> It is difficult for a character to fulfil more than one role at once, though not impossible. At character creation we ask you to pick the archetype that is ''most'' relevant for your character. We ''may'' then use that information when looking for characters to involve in new plot we are writing. However archetypes are also about the setting and your characterisation, there are no game rules for them, it is simply a shorthand for how you present your character and what you tell the world about yourself. A [[Wintermark political leadership|Wintermark thane]] might also be a [[Wintermark_military_concerns#Grimnir|grimnir]]. However the social role, the vows involved, or simply the time required will often make it difficult to fully portray, or even be accepted, as more than one archetype at once.<br /> <br /> See also a longer answer on this [[Writing_about_Empire#On_Archetypes|here]].<br /> <br /> ==What if my nationality or archetype is disputed?==<br /> Only members of a nation may vote in that nations senatorial elections - and in some cases only members of certain archetypes or characters with elevated social status may vote. For instance in Dawn, only nobles who have passed the Test of Mettle may participate in the senatorial tourney. In most cases who is or is not a Dawnish noble is obvious to everyone present - and the assumption is that all characters will react accordingly. If however there is some genuine doubt, then characters present may dispute an individuals nationality or status.<br /> <br /> If that happens, then the civil service will look to the nation's egregore to make a ruling on the matter. An egregore is best placed to know if a character is genuinely or who they claim to be. The election will be halted while the egregore talks privately to the character in question. If the character is able to convince the egregore that they are who they claim to be then they will be allowed to participate in the election. If the ''player'' is uncertain, perhaps because they are new to the game, then the egregore will take the time to help them to understand what is involved and work out what the correct answer is.<br /> <br /> ==What happens when different nationalities marry?==<br /> In Empire, most marriages are assumed to be between members of the same nation. Marriages between characters from different nations are not that unusual but most weddings involving NPCs will usually see one party join the nation of the other. This isn't a requirement - but the average Navarr citizen who joins a Marcher household - stops travelling, starts working the land - is going to become a Marcher over time simply because of the way nationality works in Empire. Of course it's possible for a Navarr to marry a Marcher and carry on travelling with their striding - only seeing their spouse for a few days each season or less. But that sort of arrangement would seem as difficult and unusual to Imperial citizens as it would to us today. There are no phones in Empire, and travel takes days or weeks. So a Highborn citizen married to a Varushkan, each living in their own lands, will only be able to see each other rarely and at great cost.<br /> <br /> For PCs, who only actually play their characters for a few days of the year when they are all together at Anvil, these issues are less obvious. None-the-less, a player should really think about what happens to their character if they get married. They have three basic options, they can roleplay that their married characters live apart but meet at Anvil and perhaps other times. A player who [[Resource#Changing_Territories|wants their character to move to live in another territory]], can do so by contacting PD to request a new resource (note that it is very expensive for an Imperial citizen to live in lands other than their own). Finally a character who wishes to change nation can speak to the egregore who will advise them on what they need to do.<br /> <br /> ==Can I play a foreigner?==<br /> No. All player characters must be Imperial and live within the Empire. If you are ''fluent'' in one of the languages spoken in a foreign nation then you can create a character who was originally from there but who has now become a citizen of the Empire if you wish. <br /> <br /> A character may also have foreign connections in their past, or have been born or lived for a time in a foreign country, but at time of play must be an Imperial citizen belonging to, and resident in, an Imperial nation and bonded to an egregore. If you choose to play a character with foreign connections there is no further information available to you than that which is already on the wiki. It would be sensible to take this lack of knowledge into consideration when creating your character and to find reasons for your lack of knowledge and understanding of the language to the level of your out of character ability.<br /> [[Category:FAQ]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Egregores&diff=119899 2025-05-05T16:03:15Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Current Egregores */</p> <hr /> <div>&lt;div style=&quot;float:left; width: 700px; clear:right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Egregang.png|align=left|caption=Every nation has an egregore spirit, which bonds with one or more citizens of that nation and offers support and guidance.|width=700}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ==Overview==<br /> * '''Are the first point of contact for players in each nation'''<br /> * '''A source of plot in the nation'''<br /> * '''Get players involved in the plot and in the politics of the nation'''<br /> * '''Encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of each nation'''<br /> * '''Are the radio operator in each camp'''<br /> Each nation has a single egregore spirit, created through ritual magic to represent the personification of the nation. The spirit may be present in more than one host body at any time. The ritual was created by the Brass Coast to ensure that the nations of the Empire retained their independent character and culture. In the game they act to encourage the players to maintain the visual and thematic identity of their nation. They are occasionally able to tell if a member of their nation is dead or alive.<br /> <br /> The egregores are an effective channel for plot writers to deliver plot &quot;news&quot; to the players about what is going on in their nation. They are part of the player support team and to try to help players get involved in the plot and also involved in the politics of the nation. <br /> <br /> They are a point of contact for Profound Decisions crew for players in a nation and will have a covert radio. This radio is for emergency situations, for example, needing to contact first aid.<br /> <br /> Some of the egregores are able to referee [[Create bond|bindings]] and [[rituals]]. You can check with your egregore if they are able to do this. If you wish to approach your egregore for non-urgent out-of-character business, please respect their roleplay and the roleplay of the people they are interacting with. Do not interrupt people who are roleplaying with the egregore with an out-of-character question unless it is urgent. Obviously, for a genuine emergency, you should get their attention as quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Egregores are not there to make decisions for the nation or provide leadership or direction. They may take a role in their nation's elections - they may even vote, but their role is to support the nation, not to lead it.<br /> <br /> Although any magician can open the [[Sentinel Gate]], to take an entire nation through requires an egregore to use their link to the nation to take them all through.<br /> <br /> There is no way to apply to become an Egregore - PD considers carefully potential candidates for Egregores and approaches them as and when they need them, partly because the requirements for the different nations can be quite varied.<br /> <br /> ==Current Egregores==<br /> &lt;table&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Nation&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;Egregore Name&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot; style=&quot;color: white; background-color: LightGray;&quot;&gt;OOC names&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Brass Coast&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Brass_Coast_egregore|Dust, Flame and Glass]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Peter G, Rosie G, Claire D&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Dawn&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Dawn_Egregore|The Knight of Roses]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Keeley Knight, Simon Moon, Jon Fry&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Highguard&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Highguard_Egregore|Escon]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Seph Steel, Carolyne&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Imperial Orcs&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Imperial_Orc_Egregore|Grud The Unshackled]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Ed Thurlow, Chris Penney&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The League&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[League_Egregore|Guise]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Jon Pam, Jade P, Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;The Marches&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Marches_Egregore|Jack-of-the-Marches]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Marc Fothergill, Maz Wilberforce&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt; <br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Navarr&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Navarr_Egregore|Liaven]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Al Bevan, Kate Rogers, Elizabeth Simoens&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Urizen&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;[[Urizen_Egregore|Menos]]&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Steve Alonso, Cheryl Hartford&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Varushka&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Varushka_Egregore|Mother Varushka]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Tansy Pye&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Wintermark&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt; [[Wintermark_Egregore|Sulkavaris, Knower of Names]] &lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;td colspan=&quot;2&quot;&gt;Harry Morris, John Haynes, Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;<br /> &lt;/tr&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;/table&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Brass Coast===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Mattias_Egregore.jpg|Brass Coast: Peter G<br /> Egregore Mazirua.jpg|Brass Coast: Rosie G<br /> Azuza Egregore.jpg|Brass Coast: Claire D<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Dawn===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> DawnEgregore.jpg|Dawn: Keeley Knight<br /> Egregore Simon.jpg|Dawn: Simon Moon<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Highguard===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Elisha_Egregore.jpg|Highguard: Seph Steel<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Imperial Orcs===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Chris Penney.jpg|Imperial Orcs: Chris Penney<br /> Ed2.png|Imperial Orcs: Ed Thurlow<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The League===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Egregore League Jon 2.jpg|League: Jon Pam<br /> Reckoner Egregore.jpg|League: Lilith Coker<br /> Egregore Innamorata.jpg|League: Jade Parsonage<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===The Marches===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> MarcFothergill.jpg|Marches: Marc Fothergill<br /> Mildred_Egregore.jpg|Marches: Maz Wilberforce<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Navarr===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Darrach_Egregore.jpg|Navarr: Elizabeth Simoens<br /> KateRogers.jpeg|Navarr: Kate Rogers<br /> AlBevan.png|Navarr: Al Bevan<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Urizen===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> KassianiEgregore.png|Urizen: Cheryl Harford<br /> Agatha Egregore.jpg|Urizen: Steve Alonso<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Varushka===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Tansy.jpg|Varushka: Tansy Pye<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> ===Wintermark===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float: left; clear: right; margin-left:10px;&quot;&gt;<br /> &lt;gallery heights=400 mode=&quot;packed&quot;&gt;<br /> Egregore Wintermark Harry 2.jpg|Wintermark: Harry Morris<br /> EmmaStanton.jpg|Wintermark: Emma Stanton<br /> JohnHaynes.jpg|Wintermark: John Haynes<br /> &lt;/gallery&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;row-fluid&gt;&lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> [[Category:Egregore]]<br /> [[Category:The World]]</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Dawn_groups&diff=118150 2025-04-08T11:43:09Z

<p>Spoondog: /* House de Gauvain */</p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> There are many important [[noble house|noble houses]], [[knightly order|knightly orders]], and [[weaver cabal|weaver cabals]] in [[Dawn]]. Despite the number, only a comparative handful are involved in the affairs of the Empire (that is, attend the seasonal summits at Anvil). Their influence can wax and wane, and involvement in Imperial affairs is not always a reflection of their prominence within the nation itself. This page presents in-character information about the groups that attend, or have attended, [[Anvil]] — the kind of thing that someone who asked about them might uncover from talking to their peers. In each case, the information is provided by the players and edited before being put on the wiki.<br /> <br /> The majority of groups listed here are made up of player-characters. You should not create a character who is part of a group, or has personal history with one, without first clearing it with the appropriate players. You should also check before including other players' groups in your background. The background team are unlikely to approve a background that significantly impacts or involves another player character group without their permission. There are also a handful of prominent NPC groups included for completeness, but they are not intended for use by player characters.<br /> <br /> ==Noble Houses==<br /> The [[noble house|noble houses]] of Dawn represent the best - and occasionally the worst - of what the nation has to offer.<br /> ===Houses of Astolat===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Asterion.png|caption=House Asterion|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Asterion====<br /> * '''Location:''' Winterbourne, east of Boar's Hollow<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A magpie reaching out to pluck a star from the sky on a field of blue and white<br /> * '''Colours:''' Black, royal blue and white - with gold accents<br /> * '''Earl:''' Vacant<br /> “From Dust, Become Stars.” A young house, Asterion was founded in 383YE by Enchanter Kyriel Asterion - after having left their previous house Montrose behind following the disastrous actions of their father Earl Tomme Montrose. It was to be a house capable of recognising any individual capable of glorious deeds, no matter their story, and to allow those who had been abandoned elsewhere to follow their ambition and belong to a true family. It takes in those who are alone, cast off, abandoned or lost, and gives them a chance to rise above the hand that has been dealt to them. <br /> <br /> The house has drawn many who practise magic; its heart known as Brambling Keep built upon mountain foothills deep in the woods near Boar’s Hollow, where mana crystals are abundantly found in natural hot spring caverns in the mountainside. It was founded to be a place of refuge, where the snow dusted pines soften the noise of the world and a soul might find reflection and tranquillity if they so desire it. Whole of heart and soul, one might chase virtue and glory with even greater dedication. <br /> <br /> Since the death of Enchanter Kyriel in 384YE, the house is without any present nobles, so is maintained by its yeofolk and knights-errant.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Brightstone.png|caption=House Brightstone|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Brightstone====<br /> * '''Location:''' Withy, on the River of Sighs<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A mermaid holding aloft a white gemstone, on a field of golden yellow and teal blue<br /> * '''Colours:''' predominantly golden yellow and teal blue, accented with a small amount of orange and emerald green<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Ozilius Brightstone<br /> House Brightstone was founded in 85YE when an impoverished knight-errant was tasked by a gloating earl to produce a gemstone more splendid than any in his esteemed collection. The seemingly insurmountable Test of Mettle was passed, however, when the determined knight carried a washtub from the Semmerholm village of Auvanne to a river in the north. Using his washtub as a crude boat, he voyaged hundreds of miles east along the river, all the way to [[the Semmerlak]] where, according to legend, he met a mysterious mermaid who swam to the bottom of the lake and retrieved for him the Brightstone - a glittering gemstone of beauty beyond description. Not content to serve an ill-mannered Earl, the newly-titled Lord instead travelled west to Astolat and there he restored the venerable, ruined castle of Respireau- an ancient stronghold built onto the River of Sighs on the southwestern border, and thus became the first Earl of House Brightstone. The Brightstone remains a cherished heirloom to this day and is brought to Anvil for all to admire.<br /> <br /> Castle Respireau is famous for its underwater library and luxurious bathhouse, and the nobles of house Brightstone pride themselves on their hospitality. They eat and drink exceptionally well, due to an abundance of fish from the River of Sighs, as well as [[The League|League]] river-trading barges that frequently stop by the castle. They enjoy a reasonably amicable relationship with their [[Navarr|Navarri]] neighbours in [[Miaren]] and occasionally take leisure boats up and down the River of Sighs.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Caerleon.png|caption=House Caerleon|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Caerleon====<br /> * '''Location:''' Winterbourne, southwest of Weaving<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Two white dragons eating each other's tails creating a circle on a navy blue background with a gold chevron.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Navy blue and white, accented with gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Lady Guinevere Caerleon<br /> House Caerleon is a recent addition to Dawn's history, being founded in 307YE when the knight-errant Arthur Caerleon split from his adopted family after passing his Test of Mettle fighting and protecting a town from &quot;draconic&quot; beasts with other knights-errant, taking one of the beast's heads as a reward. Lord Caerleon travelled for miles trying to find the perfect location to settle, before finally coming across a hill with beautiful views, flanked by babbling brooks and overlooking the Hamlet of Strathmoor. It is here where he buried the beast's head on top of the hill and restored and expanded an old manor house close to the Hamlet and began to call it home.<br /> <br /> Over the years the Caerleon grounds have grown to include Strathmoor, and it has developed into a thriving farming town well known for its apple orchards, and because of these, desserts such apple pie have become a town and house specialty. The hill, named Dragon’s Garden, that overlooks the manor and town has also become well known, for it grows a variety of colourful flowers and berries upon it almost all year round. Atop, it has grown a single large apple tree with bark that looks like scales, producing the sweetest apples around, apples are normally reserved only for the Earl or their honoured guests.<br /> <br /> House Caerleon prides itself on being a found family and uses the virtues of loyalty, wisdom, and courage to resist hardships and assist members in pursuing goals in whatever path they walk.<br /> <br /> ====House de Coeurdefer====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Coeurdefer.png|caption=House Coeurdefer|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Winterbourne, just south of [[Astolat#Weaving|Weaving]]<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Black, a gauntlet silver grasping a crescent moon, two crescent moons silver<br /> * '''Colours:''' Black and silver<br /> * '''Earl:''' Zadkiel de Coeurdefer<br /> House de Coeurdefer predates the Empire; memory of its forming has fallen into a legend. It is claimed that a knightly band gathered to destroy a nest of Winter-touched [[Mundane_beasts#Drakes|drakes]], with their leader giving her heart's blood and her life to seal a twisted [[regio]]. [[Troubadour|Troubadours]] sometimes say Castle Ironheart, their principal seat, was created magically out of dragon bones and her steel cestus to stand guard against the threat returning. Since the founding of the House, the Earls have traditionally been of Winter lineage, with a strong line of [[naga]] from the [[weaver cabal]] that lives and works with them, the Coven of Ouroboros Twining. <br /> <br /> The House is known for Loyalty, [[Ambition]], and Pride. Over the centuries, the House declined - numbers fell, as the dour draughir stayed at home with their packs of wolfhounds. They have a strong tie to their neighbours and cousins in [[#House de Rondell|House de Rondell]], and the Earl de Rondell's call for support at Anvil following the death of [[Empress Britta]] brought them out of their towers. Most of the nobles who attend Anvil on behalf of their House are from the naga weaver cabal rather than the draughir House, and Earl Zadkiel is of their blood. If and when others ask him for a Test, he's likely to offer a simple-seeming puzzle or challenge to enact at Anvil or in battle. They are usually more complex in practice, and focus on clever planning or the recruitment and leading of allies in a challenging situation.<br /> <br /> ====House Cordraco====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Cordraco.jpg|caption=House Cordraco|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Withy, north of Oldheart <br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Twinned Dragons on a field of purple and gold <br /> * '''Colours:''' Purple and gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Logan Olivier De Havilland Cordraco<br /> House Cordraco was founded in 378 by a conglomeration of the ancient and venerable houses Arwood, Boscombe, Loriel and Martel. To do this they were set the test of slaying a dragon. They managed to fell a mighty drake but not before the beast feasted upon their first Earl; Johann Rookwood Martel Cordraco. <br /> <br /> House Cordraco have been a great supporter of the arts and hospitality since its founding. The house most closely associates with the virtues of Ambition, Pride and Prosperity. The motto, &quot;''Not for us the straight and narrow''&quot; is taken from the house oath, read by nobles once they have been judged to have completed their tests of mettle. It epitomises the beliefs of the house; that there is no one path to Glory. House Cordraco aspires to great acts of Prosperity and Pride within Dawn and the Empire. After a tumultuous reorganisation following the deaths of multiple earls, House Cordraco looks to step back into the world of Anvil politics intent on having its name echo through the ages. The house is known to encourage civility, respect and cooperation between its members. <br /> <br /> ====House de Gauvain====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House_Gauvain_Heraldry.jpg|caption=House de Gauvain|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Caer Faucon<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Golden phoenix on flames; nobles often have their own personal heraldry<br /> * '''Colours:''' Orange and black with red trim<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Rillian De Gauvain<br /> [[Pitiless_as_the_sun#Edric_de_Gauvain|Ser Edric de Gauvain]] is perhaps one of the most famous names in Dawn, thanks to a recent [[curse]] which befell the territory of Weirwater; but what of his House? Nestled in the bucolic Astolat countryside, the de Gauvains (pronounced ''gor-van'') reside in the pleasant market town of Caer Faucon. It is far from the front lines of the Empire at war. Few monsters stalk their lands. Their keep looks out over sheep scudded hills, drooping orchards, and peace. Wealth breeds prosperity, and hospitality. Noble and yeofolk rub shoulders, and do so gladly; bloody experiences during [[the Marches|the Marcher]] [[Dawn_history#Before_the_Empire|revolt]] taught them the error of their older, haughtier ways. The de Gauvains’ door is always open for travellers and wanderers, but one should never mistake warmth and generosity for placidity or cowardice. They have glorious deeds to match.<br /> <br /> The house is best known for its weavers. Rich supplies of textiles, and a deep-seated love of glory, have led to a great interest in the [[Summer magic|Summer realm]]. This power in magic and realm-wisdom is matched on the battlefield; the House’s knights and war-witches march as part of the famous Winged Lion lance.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Goldvein.png|caption=House Goldvein|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ====House Goldvein====<br /> * '''Location:''' Stryxstone Keep, north of Weaving<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden mandowla on an emerald field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Emerald and gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Lilian Goldvein<br /> Originally founded by a former guide of Navarr who found true love and her place in the great dance beside a knight-errant, House Goldvein has a long-held tradition of recording and sharing tales of love and glory. After the tragedy that ended the reign of Nicovar, this mission broadened to include the foundation of the Stryxstone Library as a repository of knowledge to protect against a similar loss of information. After more than 150 years of bad luck, sabotage and unexplained misfortune, the House finally found itself succeeding in this quest, but becoming more insular and cutting itself off from the wider Empire. Now with a new Earl in their ascendance, House Goldvein makes it return to Anvil, and the centres of learning and research across the Empire.<br /> <br /> House Goldvein prides itself on the diversity of talent and knowledge it recruits and fosters, with artisans, warriors, troubadours, witches and physicks all held in equal prominence within the ranks of the House's nobles and yeofolk, and all who can share a tale or unrecorded knowledge will find a warm welcome to the estates surrounding the Stryxstone Keep.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Larmallevés.png|caption=House Larmallevés|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ====House Larmallevés====<br /> * '''Location''': Brightway, west of the De Warrenne Way, Grovesyard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Crowned Phoenix in Gold on Field of Purple<br /> * '''Colours:''' Gold and Purple<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Areloe Larmallevés<br /> The noble House Larmallevés (pronounced Lar-mell-e-vee) traces its lineage to an age before the Empire’s founding, its legacy ignited by King Bréanainn’s triumph in the Grand Tourney, clad in arms and armour of his own masterful design. Ever since that fateful victory, the House has embraced those who embody excellence—whether on the battlefield or in the forge. Thus, it upholds a proud tradition of setting Tests of Mettle tailored to the strengths and aspirations of each knight-errant who dares seek the House’s banner.<br /> <br /> The House’s heraldry speaks of an unyielding cycle—glorious ascension, an inevitable fall, and the inexorable rise from the ashes—encapsulated in its motto: &quot;''From Fire, To Ash, To Flame.''&quot; True to this ethos, two members of the House first set foot in Anvil in the closing days of 383YE, and since that moment, they have met every challenge with undaunted ambition. Most notably, the Enchantress of the House was honoured by [[Meraud]] with an opportunity befitting one of her puissance. Seizing this with characteristic fervour, she undertook the construction of the sinecure, funding all but two crowns of its completion.<br /> <br /> The House dwells within the chateau known as the Second Dawn, named for the great ceremonial fire pit upon its grounds, which casts the illusion of a second sunrise as dusk falls. This spectacle is made all the more resplendent by the [[Astolat#Flame_of_the_Phoenix|Flame of the Phoenix]], standing just beyond the estate’s bounds. More than mere ornamentation, this flame serves as both a mark of the nation’s bond with the Summer realm and a testament to the Enchantress’ own standing as a master of magic.<br /> <br /> House Larmallevés welcomes all aspiring knights-errant and nobles who embody Ambition and Loyalty, ever urging them to leave behind a legacy worthy of remembrance. The current Enchantress, a cambion of cunning intellect, eagerly receives requests for Tests of Mettle. As is her nature, her trials do not test brute strength or skill alone, but reward those who can meet them with keen wit and daring ingenuity.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Melora.jpg|title=&quot;Virtute et valare luceo non uro&quot;|caption=House Meliora|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ====House Meliora====<br /> * '''Location''': The Chase, south of Laroc<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden unicorn facing left on a quartered cream and purple field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Purple, Cream and Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Torag Meliora<br /> House Meliora is a relatively young house, formed in the [[Cloud_waves_break|mist]] of 383YE, when a number of both nobles and yeofolk alike chose to break away from their previous house in the pursuit of a more virtuous and glorious life. <br /> <br /> They built a house dedicated to achieving glory on and off the battlefield, their members split equally between both martial and magical pursuits. The house has since grown in size, welcoming members from other nations and magicians representing five of the six realms. The Earl of Meliora is committed to forming a place for his house to thrive wherever they choose to find themselves upon the quest for glory.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House de Rondell.jpg|caption=House de Rondell|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House de Rondell====<br /> * '''Location:''' Laroc<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue and silver<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Three crescent moons around a gryphon<br /> * '''Earl:''' Martin De Rondell<br /> An ancient house existing from before the founding of the Empire, its fortunes have risen and fallen many times over the centuries. Proximity to the Castle of Thorns in Astolat has always kept them near to the political heart of Dawn. There is evidence that the castle was designed by a de Rondell in the earliest days of the Dawnish presence on the Bay of Catazar. <br /> <br /> This house has returned senators, generals and cardinals again and again over the centuries. As such the household places an ongoing emphasis on questing in other parts of the Empire and gaining the regard of others in this way, long after many houses expect their members to focus in other areas. <br /> <br /> The House uses virtues as inspiration, immortalised in the three silver crescent moons in the house heraldry. They represent Pride in one's own worth and that which the House has won; Ambition to constantly reach out and grasp every opportunity, and Courage to always step forwards into the fray or into the unknown. <br /> <br /> “''We have been there from the beginning of the Empire, we will be there at the ascension. Until that day we shall steer it towards greatness and Glory''” Bohemond de Rondell <br /> <br /> House de Rondell's martial tests of mettle are quite difficult and can easily result in the death of the unwary; the other theme that runs through their tests is an emphasis on political acumen and the ability to influence others to act for the good of the Empire.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House de Rosier.png|caption=House de Rosier|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ====House de Rosier====<br /> * '''Location:''' Winterbourne<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red, gold and white<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A snake coiled inside a rose, surrounded by a radiant golden halo.<br /> * '''Earl:''' Cerys de Rosier<br /> Long before the founding of the Empire, House De Rosier was forged amidst a cataclysmic event. Their home in the lowlands of the mountains in northern Astolat was threatened by a devastating landslide. House de Rosier rallied their kin and fled up the mountain, desperately seeking refuge from the relentless fury of the storm. They traversed the treacherous mountain until they arrived at a plateau, apparently guided by a mysterious snake that appeared amidst the chaos. There, the snake halted, its gaze fixed upon a radiant rose blooming amidst the mountain peaks. To the amazement of House de Rosier, the snake curled around the rose, protecting it from the surrounding chaos. Sensing the serenity emanating from this extraordinary flower, they realised it was a sign. The survivors had found their new home—a sanctuary upon the mountaintop that became the foundation of House de Rosier. Their ancestral crest, a majestic rose entwined with a serpent, is a symbol of their resilience and the eternal bond between their house and the land that sheltered them.<br /> <br /> House de Rosier offers any citizen who wishes to join their ranks a test that has remained unchanged since its foundation. Knights are called to venture to a place hitherto unexplored. They are instructed to return with three significant elements—an extraordinary tale, a tangible souvenir, and a scar etched upon their body. It is a test that unites the house, binding generations together through shared experiences and a deep reverence for the unknown.<br /> <br /> The land continues to be fertile and the house is famed for its beautiful gardens, overgrowing with strange blooms often brought back by questing knights. These rare flowers are distilled into perfumes which keep the estate, and its inhabitants, fragrant.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Sepulchre.png|caption=House Sepulchre|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Sepulchre====<br /> * '''Location:''' Winterbourne<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red, gold and black<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Black hound <br /> * '''Earl:''' Loria Sepulchre<br /> House Sepulchre traces its roots to Mira (later Rolande), a [[warden]] of [[Varushka]] who came to Dawn to bury her family and, eventually, the magician who killed them. Her bloodthirsty quest won her glory and land where she could mourn and remember in quiet contemplation. Over the years the graves and gardens spread further and further as House Sepulchre sought to collect tales and songs of the glorious dead as well as providing them with a fitting resting place (sometimes as [[Mark_the_Flesh_Incorruptible|statues]] stationed around the gardens and grounds). It suffered something of a decline when it was revealed that a [[Religious_crime#Heresy|heretical]] cult of [[Malign_spiritual_presences#Hope|Hope]] had spread throughout the ranks of the nobility. It was only thanks to the swift action of a newly ennobled knight that Sepulchre endured.<br /> <br /> The house is known for having a string of [[draughir]] earls and healers among its ranks. Sepulchre nobles and yeofolk alike seek to find glory in its every aspect and live life to the full; living by their motto, 'forever sanguine'. Sepulchre accepts knights-errant from every walk of life, and its Tests of Mettle are often designed to encourage imaginative thinking, to test resolve, and to crush any lingering shreds of optimism in the aspiring noble. Particularly of note is the Sepulchre graveyard, upon which when a knight-errant passes their Test of Mettle, they dig their own grave, a symbolic burying of their old life to start anew.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House_Videre_Heraldry.jpg|caption=House Videre|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> ====House Videre====<br /> * '''Location:''' The Chase, southeast of Laroc, near Rosered Woods<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden gryphon passant, on a parted field of red and green <br /> * '''Colours:''' Green, Red and Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Vacant<br /> House Videre traces its lineage back to royal retainers of ancient times, who served with distinction before the Empire's founding. Over the centuries, the name Videre has weathered trials and triumphs, enduring near destruction in 276YE during a failed campaign to capture the Barrens. Again in 330YE, the house faced internal strife with the split of House de Carsenere, casting doubt on its future. Despite these challenges, House Videre persists, determined to reclaim its legacy and honour the noble traditions it upholds.<br /> <br /> Known for their strong affinity for magic, the Videres have always been led by powerful Enchanters, each dedicated to their principles of Love and Loyalty above all else. Their Tests of Mettle are renowned for challenging candidates' loyalties to their limits, earning both respect and wariness from their peers. Despite their dedication to the Way, relations with the Imperial Synod have often been strained, owing to their unique tradition of challenging both parties during Tests of Ardour, even when one of their own nobles departs for another household. <br /> <br /> The seat of House Videre is a small hillside fortress located on the border between the Chase and Elvette. Once a strategic outpost during the Semmerholm conquest, it now guards the Hall of Blooms, a grand floral maze rumoured to house samples of flowers from across the Empire. However, the Hall of Blooms suffered significant damage in Spring 385YE as a consequence of the uncontrolled growth caused by the Imperial enchantment known as the Hallow of the Green World.<br /> <br /> Following the disappearance of Lord Colborn Videre, the last Earl of House Videre, the leadership of the house remains in transition. Since Spring 386YE, Ludwig Barbadoro has been nominated as Castellan, assuming the role of seneschal and acting head of House Videre. Under his stewardship, the Hall of Blooms has been meticulously restored, symbolizing renewal and resilience within the house. The Videres eagerly await the day when a knight-errant successfully completes the Test of Mettle, ensuring the continuation of their noble line and the legacy of House Videre.<br /> <br /> ===Houses of Semmerholm===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=D'Abeille_Crest_2.png|caption=House D'Abeille|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House d’Abeille====<br /> * '''Location:''' Estmure<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A Flower Crowned Bee on a Blue and Yellow field, parted with Black. <br /> * '''Colours:''' Black, Yellow and Blue<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Tarsus<br /> A seemingly new House, only recently rising to prominence. House d’Abeille (pronounced da-bay) prides itself on Prosperity, Ambition and Loyalty to one another. Taking the heraldry of a bee, the house has a close, tight knit community, with each working for the good of the hive. Its members are easily recognised by the flower crowns which are staples of their outfits.<br /> <br /> Situated in Semmerholm, to the north of the [[Semmerholm#The_Adamant_Gate|Adamant Gate]], House d’Abeille focuses its efforts on reclaiming the Barrens. Since its founding, its members are always the first to take the fight to the Druj therein.<br /> <br /> On the field, the House specialises in fighting on the front lines and battlefield support, cutting down Druj and ensuring everyone makes it home to tell the glorious story. The motto and battlecry on the lips of its members is “Si sapis, sis apis” - If you are wise, be a bee.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=D'acier Heraldry.png|caption=House d'Acier|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House d’Acier====<br /> * '''Location:''' Estmure<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Black Tower before a Golden Sun on a Green field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green and Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Vivienne d’Acier<br /> An older, weathered House in the process of rebuilding itself, greater than ever. Following a recent period of unstable leadership that saw the House verging on collapse, a new Enchantress was chosen through the trials of the [[Barien|Iron Duke]], bringing renewed Glory and purpose. Deeply [[Pride]]-aligned, House d’Acier draws from the life and lessons of Paragon [[Empress Richilde|Richilde]] to guide its way. Its members eschew direct martial might, instead leveraging their magical, medical, and diplomatic talents to steer the course of Dawnish politics. <br /> <br /> D’Acier nobles and yeofolk are found on the fringes of great tourneys, elections, and other gatherings of note. They foster connections between Houses, provide healing and magical assistance, and help elevate those they believe will bring the most Glory to Dawn. Theirs is a Pride that speaks softly but looms large. Located near the [[Semmerholm#The_Adamant_Gate|Adamant Gate]], House d’Acier’s once mighty stronghold was ravaged by recent [[Druj]] incursions and, much like the House itself, is currently being rebuilt. The House’s history is intimately tied to Dawn’s claim to the Barrens, and they work tirelessly so that one day, the Dawnish banner may fly over those lands. They are also heavily involved in the politics of the Summer Realm, helping to foster positive relations between Dawn and the eternals of Summer, particularly the Iron Duke. In recent years, the House has garnered a reputation as one of the historian Houses of Dawn and are currently the custodians of a great relic of Richilde.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=DeBoisGilbert.jpeg|caption=House De Bois Gilbert|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House de Bois Gilbert====<br /> * '''Location:''' Lacuve<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A black Sea Dragon surrounded by 3 silver suns (top left, top right, bottom middle) on a per pile red, gold and green (golden V on halved red and green)<br /> * '''Colours:''' Gold, red and green<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Morgan De Bois Gilbert<br /> House de Bois Gilbert was formed in 52YE during the conquest of Semmerholm by a Knight Errant of House De Rondell as a reward for their glorious deeds.<br /> <br /> In the early days of the house, its reputation became one of staunch protectors and defenders of the people from marauding beasts and barbarians, and of those who have heard of the house today, that reputation still stands, and the words of the house are &quot;We are the shield.&quot; However the downsides of their zeal were clear - casualties were high and the house never grew much beyond a few dozen nobles, slowly declining in strength and influence over time. During the Druj invasion of 381YE the remaining nobles of the house were slain.<br /> <br /> In 384YE, a knight-errant whose [[Loyalty]] to his house was unsurpassed succeeded at his quest to reinstate the nobility of the house and select a new Earl who now brings some selected retainers to Anvil to rebuild the glories of old.<br /> <br /> ====House Cadwalon====<br /> * '''Location:''' Axmure<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A rampant golden unicorn with a green mane and tail, under a starry moonlit sky tinted gold against a violet field.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Violet, gold, and green<br /> * '''Earl:''' Lady Aneira 'Mawr' Harper Cadwalon<br /> House Cadwalon is an ancient house, tasked with the protection of a parcel of land on the edge of the forest of Axmure. The house makes extensive use of heraldic magic in its girding, particularly invoking the unicorn in the house heraldry which lends its nobles a reputation for fierce passion for<br /> life and a strong protective streak resulting in the house motto &quot;Passionate Hearts, Fearless Souls.&quot;. Fittingly enough, Cadwalon's tests of mettle often evoke one or both of those themes.<br /> <br /> House Cadwalon is rather (in)famous for the close relationship its nobles share with the yeofolk under their care, often eschewing formality unless it is of the utmost importance. This bond was born in the house's earliest days, with knights often ordered to accompany yeo forresters into the<br /> woods to protect them from the barbarians, beasts, and bandits that stalk the glades of Axmure.<br /> <br /> In the house's heyday, it was not uncommon to see their knights helping with manual labour - particularly where yeofolk had struggled mightily or even hurt themselves. More recently, the house has fallen on hard times, when the Druj invaded Semmerholm in 381YE, the knights and knights-errant of House Cadwalon fought a desperate rearguard action to buy precious time for their non-combatants and wounded to escape.<br /> <br /> Bloodied, but unbowed, and with a small cadre of Ambitious young nobles at its core Cadwalon's Glory will burn bright, and its lands will know Prosperity once more.<br /> ====House de Cendres====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=de Cendres.jpg|caption=House de Cendres|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Axmure<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Solid gold chevron on black behind a dragon resplendent on a tower<br /> * '''Colours:''' Black and Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Feroce Lupo de Cendres<br /> House de Cendres was formed when the Ashen Tower, a military company from [[the League]] city of [[Holberg]] emigrated to Dawn, in 381YE. They claimed lands in Axmure in the wake of the Druj invasion and retreat from that province in the same year. Under the dynamic leadership of their [[changeling]] Earl Lupo, they have attracted new yeofolk and knights to their banner and rebuilt their lands. Their estates are a wide valley on the Drycastle road, with several villages and fortified manors, sometimes called the Hearthhold. Their primary concern is prosecuting the war with the Druj, and as such they are a martial and aggressive House. Most recently, their knights and companies have marched deep into [[the Mallum|Druj territory]] with the Dawnish armies invading [[Ossium]] and the [[Forest of Ulnak]].<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House de Courtenay.png|caption=House de Courtenay|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House de Courtenay====<br /> * '''Location:''' Semmer's Rose<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Rampant Fox with a bee on its nose, Azure and Gold per chevron<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue, Dark Teal and Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Aodhán de Courtenay<br /> The House de Courtenay was almost wiped out when the [[Hounds of Glory]] fell, with Earl Jules being on their last breaths as they issued a test of mettle to the now Earl Aodhán. The house now prides itself on helping the lost find their place in the Empire - with all the current members of the House having been displaced or unsure where they were before becoming Dawnish. The House live by the words &quot;''Nobody Left Alone''&quot; - to be a guiding light for those who have no clear way forward, and to support those who otherwise might find themselves alone. <br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Maurisol_Colour.png |caption=House du Maurisol|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House du Maurisol====<br /> * '''Location:''' Forests of Elvette<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Three entwined bright blue calla lilies within a golden sun<br /> * '''Colours:''' Cream, gold, and bright blue<br /> * '''Earl:''' Galeas du Maurisol<br /> Dedicated to [[Loyalty]], the nobles of House du Maurisol are frequently priests and occasionally mages, but always warriors beneath it. They see it as their task to safeguard the Virtuous from dangers that might threaten to damage or shake their Loyalties, be this by the clever wordplay needed to encourage and guide, or a certain judicious application of a [[Dawn_culture_and_customs|challenge]] to those involved. Most of the House's nobles fell with Britta, but it has recently been revived and hopes to stand in glory once again.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Medwood.png|caption=House Medwood|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Medwood====<br /> * '''Location:''' Axmure, Medwood Hall<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A white tree on red and a black and white checked field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red, black and white<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Harlow<br /> House Medwood are a new house which wasn’t established until 381YE when the [[Druj]] swept through Axmure. Taking in the devastation of Medwood's lands the nobles of the House realised a need to visit Anvil to truly establish themselves. The house values itself on its [[Loyalty]] and gaining their friendship is gaining a steadfast ally.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Du Meravon.png|caption=House Du Meravon|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Du Meravon====<br /> * '''Location:''' Ulvenholm<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A white kelpie on a split field of blue and warm orange<br /> * '''Colours:''' River blue and bronze<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Aurianna du Meravon<br /> Originally formed as an order of questing knights who helped take Semmerholm during 52YE by holding a strategic point on the river Ulvenwater. The order became a House not long after, and settled the land outside of Arnet. The original name of the group was lost to time, taking on the new name meaning “where the river meets the sea (lake)”. <br /> <br /> More than three centuries later, the House still holds true to the spirit of Ambition held by that first band of questing knights; pursuing glory and adventures in all its forms. In 385YE the house attended their first Anvil summit in almost 80 years, and the House has formed a close alliance with several other houses of Semmerholm and founded a political alliance called ‘The Lavender Court’ so named for the fields of wild lavender that stretch between their estates. <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House de Rhys.png|caption=House de Rhya|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House de Rhys====<br /> * '''Location:''' Ferrond<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A firebird on green and blue.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green, blue, black, and white<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl-Enchanter Ciagan de Rhys<br /> An elder house refounded in Autumn 385YE after a powerful Empire-wide Day enchantment returned it to attention, House de Rhys was originally known for its powerful Night witches, before a sudden stop in Anvil attendance. Rumour has said the challenge of becoming Earl is often literally finding Castle de Rhys using riddles and puzzles left by the last Earl, with each making it more testing than the last. The difficulty in locating the castle may actually be based on its small size, but it is certainly home to many secrets that can be found in unexpected places.<br /> <br /> House de Rhys is best known for its focus on glorious pursuits across every part of Anvil, encouraging the Loyalty to one's own heart and Ambitions. Whether this is to rise to a life in battles or the Synod, in an art studio or apothecary, or do something entirely new, House de Rhys is always prepared to offer support and guidance for the yeofolk and nobles that are part of it, and 'Rise', as their motto highlights, like a firebird from the ash.<br /> <br /> House de Rhys is also now well known for its championing of Love. Many of the most popular songs performed by the troubadours of the house are focused on the topic. The castle is visited by people of all nations who wish to read the fantastic collection of love stories and poems, and often guests will sit in the hall until morning speaking of love. The castle's grounds are used for weddings and celebrations so the house is able to have a first-hand view of love in all its forms.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Summerstrong.png|caption=House Summerstrong|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Summerstrong====<br /> * '''Location:''' The Summerhold, Southern Elvette<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A blue tree on a field of red, wrapped in a wreath of blackthorns<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red and Blue, often with black accenting<br /> * '''Earl:''' Lord Percival Summerstrong<br /> House Summerstrong is an old house of Semmerholm, one that has regularly occupied the strange position of being one of the wealthiest of the least important houses of the territory. In recent history, the house has grown due to the marriage of the ex-earl Lord Gawain Summerstrong and his ex-Navarri wife Lady Penelope Summerstrong. With their marriage bringing many members of Penelope's striding to Dawn, House Summerstrong became known as a house with deep roots in both Dawn and Navarr. Their home, The Summerhold, is a physical representation of their ties to Navarr, resting along the trod that cuts through Elvette and serving as a stop-off point for those venturing south into Brocéliande. The Summerhold is instantly recognisable for its red stone walls, covered in an array of wild moss and flowers that give the illusion that the hamlet itself is a part of the woods around it. From their position in The Summerhold, House Summerstrong have pursued their ambition to fuel the mission against the Vallorn that occupy the areas so close to their home – with their tests of mettle often featuring a glorious hunt into Broceliande or a face-off with a dryad or marsh walker. The Vallorn is, in the eyes of House Summerstrong, the most dangerous threat to the empire and its members are driven by the tragedies that surround their house to remove it. It is a house built upon surviving tragedy, but their roots are deep and they stand strong against the storm - as captured in their motto, &quot;Our Roots are Deep and Glorious&quot;.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Syrenus.jpg|caption=House Syrenus|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Syrenus====<br /> * '''Location:''' Estmure, Stonecrest keep<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A yellow crescent moon on a blue banner with a sword crossing a white rose<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue, yellow and white<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Perrin Syrenus<br /> House Syrenus was founded by members of a knightly order after they realized their quest would take generations to complete. Their stronghold, Stonecrest Keep, sits in a remote mountain pass along the border between Semmerholm and Holberg. The name of the house and the keep dates back to a time before imperial rule, though it had been abandoned for centuries. When the house was re-established, the ancient name of Syrenus was reclaimed along with its place in Estmure. Today, the house serves to protect the small, scattered farming communities nearby. Additionally, it launches questing parties into the Barrens and surrounding deep forests, with the goal of slaying great beasts that plague the local people. <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Tamerlaine_coat_of_arms.jpg|caption=House Tamerlaine|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Tamerlaine====<br /> * '''Location:''' Near the town of Semmer's Rose, on the edge of the Semmerlak<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A Silver Unicorn rearing on a Green and Black saltire field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Viridian Green, Silver and Sable Black<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Ailsa Tamerlaine<br /> An older, weathered House in the process of rebuilding itself, greater than ever. Following a recent period of unstable leadership that saw the House verging on collapse, a new Enchantress was chosen through the trials of the [[Barien|Iron Duke]], bringing renewed Glory and purpose. Deeply [[Pride]]-aligned, House d’Acier draws from the life and lessons of Paragon [[Empress Richilde|Richilde]] to guide its way. Its members eschew direct martial might, instead leveraging their magical, medical, and diplomatic talents to steer the course of Dawnish politics. <br /> <br /> With their main estate lying near a sleepy hamlet to the south of [[Semmerholm#Semmer.27s_Rose|Semmer's Rose]], House Tamerlaine is an old and small Dawnish house once thought faded, that is slowly and steadily blooming once more. Castle Tamerlaine and its accompanying grounds are a sprawling affair, with wild floral gardens, deep ponds, hot houses, and a large barn that has been turned into a studio for the inhabitants of the House. There is much pastoral and wild beauty to be found here.<br /> <br /> The House is mainly concerned with arts of pen and plectrum as well as weaponry and the art of war. When not ensconced in their compound, developing their crafts, noble members are often [[Questing_knight|questing]] across the Empire, researching their arts. While not bound under one singular Virtue, the House [[Troubadour|troubadours]] are often troubadours of the Way. There is a heavy emphasis to seek out new information, new stories, but bring this back to share with all of the House, and with their fellow Dawnish. Travellers are always welcome in these halls, especially if they bring with them news.<br /> <br /> With the upheaval of the last decade, Tamerlaine have re-thought their isolated ways and begun to reach out at Anvil. This having been said, it would be foolish to assume that a focus on the arts would mean ignorance of defense and fighting. The House motto defines the steely determination of its members: &quot;If the bird does not sing, we shall make it sing.&quot; <br /> <br /> ====House Vexille====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=VexilleHeraldry.jpg|caption=House Vexille|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Semmerholm, previously Barrens<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Dagger crossing a key<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green, Gold &amp; Black<br /> * '''Earl:''' Guissart Vexille<br /> A centuries old house, previously based in the Barrens until the Druj forced them to flee in defeat, House Vexille have a reputation for their hard-line attitudes, extensive use of [[Night magic]] and a penchant for luxury and excess. Their methods in achieving Glory have often been questioned, especially actions which saw them declared as [[sorcery|sorcerers]] for a time for their suggested abuse of magics…a measure which was only recently [[Sorcery#Declaration_of_Reconciliation|overturned]].<br /> <br /> House Vexille proudly declares that they &quot;Hold the key to Glory&quot; - considered metaphorical by many, they believe that their extensive pushing of boundaries is the key to true Glory. The Tests of Mettle set by the Vexille earls are notoriously difficult; the current earl, Guissart Vexille, takes great pride in the fact that dozens of those wishing to join his house have failed to meet the exacting demands he places upon them. To this end, the house supports a larger than average number of yeofolk who spend years testing themselves personally before attempting to bring their requests to the earl to join the household. Those nobles who have passed their test are usually arrogant as a result; inevitably embittered, grizzled individuals who display extreme character traits, their outlook on life influenced by the necessity of life on the Barrens' borders.<br /> <br /> Most recently, several knights of the house have formed a band of questing knights, dedicated to the destruction of [[vallorn]] as a great and glorious quest, under interpretation of the Synod’s statements on these creatures - urging knights from other houses to join them.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Verdantié.jpg|caption=House Verdantié|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Verdantié====<br /> * '''Location:''' Ferrond<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A white crystal decanter embraced by a grape vine, rested on a blue and purple base<br /> * '''Colours:''' Navy blue, royal purple, and white<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Lannus Verdantié<br /> With a focus on the virtue of Wisdom, the nobles of House Verdantié consist primarily of physicks and magical healers alongside the support of front-line knights. Members of the house believe that every life saved results in another opportunity to fight for glory; whether this is by offering services within the hospital, taking the field and healing those in need, or taking the frontline and lending extra hands to those alongside them. House Verdantié is a noble house formed by Lannus Meadowkeep after they grew within House De Sarroi which sparked their desire to lead and assist.<br /> <br /> ===Houses of Weirwater===<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House de Bastion.png|caption=House de Bastion|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House de Bastion====<br /> * '''Location:''' Sandling<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue and green<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Dyota de Bastion<br /> To be House de Bastion is to live by two principles. To assist all in living virtuously and by Dawnish values and traditions. But also the enforcement of those virtues and values. This is clearly shown by the house words &quot;''open to all, yielding to none.''&quot; The house strives for the welcoming side of the duality to always be more visible and prominent. De Bastion will endeavour to provide hospitality, arms, and armour to those in need. None are turned away. <br /> <br /> The house strongly believes in the tradition of giving a test of mettle to any who ask. That being said, when granted such opportunity, the house expects its members and allies to take it. Not all are worthy, and such worth must be proven through action. De Bastion is quick to hold its allies accountable for their choices and deeds. Dawnish traditions are deeply embedded in the house; breaking or disrespecting them is deemed unacceptable and will be met with harsh judgment or even inquisition. <br /> <br /> House De Bastion has a tradition of any who wish to join the house, even as yeofolk: standing guard. They are tested in their competency and understanding of the house's culture. This tradition dates back to the founding of the house and pays respect to the manner of its founding in which a lone knight valiantly fought and defended the keep for a day and night. Tests of mettle from House De Bastion are considered deliberately difficult.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Berinore.png|caption=House Berinore|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Berinore====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Two perytons, rampant before a gold chevron on a red field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red and gold, with black.<br /> * '''Earl:''' Lady Tegwen Berinore<br /> Those who dwell within Castle Gristimere's walls claim it to be one of the oldest castles in the Weirmoor, raised not long after the Dawnish first arrived in these lands, laying claim to the dangerous forests and mastering them. Despite their ancient claim, the House held no one of note until recently. House Berinore attended Anvil for the first time at the end of 383YE to pull itself from obscurity with the thought of true glory at the forefront, but since then, the House has been beset by tragedy after tragedy. From their very first attendance at Anvil, long beloved friends have fallen to barbarian blades, time and again.<br /> <br /> This culminated in Spring 385YE, with all nobles of the House deceased, fallen in battle to reclaim either Zenith or the Barrens. A pair of knights-errant remained; one was able to pass her tests, calling a fallen Earl back through the [[Whispers through the Black Gate|Black Gate]] to confirm this. The newly minted Earl has sworn to learn from this and never leave the House in such a situation again, and the House has since focused on healing, on repair and unity. Alongside their allies in the Amber Lance, Berinore fights on the battlefield to ensure as many glorious heroes make the return to Anvil as possible, and works within Anvil with a focus on the same unity. True glory for those of House Berinore acknowledges the contributions of nobles and yeofolk alike, each bringing glory in their way.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Castellan Crest.png|caption=House Castellan|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Castellan====<br /> * '''Location:''' Highwater Keep, Western Weirwater Vale<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A white Hippocampus on a field of blue, with red accents. <br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue with red and white trim, and a red chevron, in various configurations.<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Baldwin Castellan <br /> House Castellan was founded in the dim and distant past, at the foundation of Dawn as a nation in the pre-Imperial age. The first Earl, Lord Kaldwin Castellan, sought to bring law and safety to the wild frontier of Weirwater, and so established the Castellan Hunt, an order of [[questing knight|questing knights]], knights-errant, and yeofolk intended to travel and patrol the territory to keep honest people safe from monsters, bandits, [[orc|orcs]], and the trials of life in a wild land.<br /> <br /> From the seat of Highwater Keep the house and the Hunt have kept to this duty diligently, striving to embody the very concept of knighthood and nobility in their deeds, but never previously taking an interest in Anvil, slowly sliding into forgotten obscurity as a result. Now, that isolation has ended. House Castellan looks from the deeds of the past toward the glories promised by the future, and its people step from the mists of Weirwater into the light of Anvil. The house is noteworthy for its extremely large numbers of knights-errant, resulting from a combination of challenging Tests of Mettle and strong dedication to the Hunt’s duties as wandering protectors of all that is virtuous and right. House Castellan’s nobles, knights-errant, and yeofolk are expected to bring virtue, determination, and skill to all they do, and match their deeds with honesty, kindness, and respect.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Clément.jpg|title=&quot;Mercy, Goodness, Glory&quot;|caption=House de Clément|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House de Clément====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden Jackalope on a green field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green and gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Percival de Clément<br /> House de Clément is a pre-Imperial house founded by Ser Gwendolyn the Good. In recent years the house has withdrawn from the goings on of the nation and the Empire at large. Following the appointment of a new earl, however, the house has returned to Anvil in an attempt to re-join the fold. They pride themselves on producing fine healers, and on providing warm hospitality to any and all that cross their threshold.<br /> <br /> The Clément estate is centred around Castle Brighthearth on the Weirmoor and is notable for the large glasshouse in its central court that allows them to grow a diverse range of exotic plant life.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House duLac.jpeg|title=&quot;Stand Fast, Stand Ready&quot;|caption=House duLac|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House duLac====<br /> * '''Location:''' Culwich<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden fox on a blue and green field<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue and green<br /> * '''Earl:''' Lady Laudine duLac<br /> House duLac is one dedicated to watching the borders of Dawn, a bulwark that stands as the first line of defence of this Glorious nation, ever watchful particularly against the threat of Druj incursions across the Semmerlak and Varushkan monsters from across the northern border. Their motto of &quot;''Stand Fast, Stand Ready''&quot; stands as evidence of their commitment.<br /> <br /> The people of this house are often more subdued in their appearance compared to other Dawnish, in part due to their long distance from the rest of their people, and also due to their focus on military preparation. It is rumoured that the members of House duLac never go unarmed, lest they be unprepared. They hold the Virtue of Vigilance close to their core, aiding them on their watch, and they greatly utilise the magic of Spring in their work, the trappings of which can be found all over their ancestral seat, The Hightower.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Gladewarden.jpg|caption=House Gladewarden|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Gladewarden====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden crest on a green field. The crest contains three swords pointed upwards, becoming trees whose boughs interweave.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Emerald and gold. <br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Fintan Blackrock<br /> Steadfast in their ideals of Loyalty, Courage, and Pride, members of House Gladewarden devote themselves to the study of the sword. Taking the words of their motto &quot;''Many trees, one forest''&quot;, to heart, they are willing to face any threat or challenge for the good of their allies. House Gladewarden trains to master their specific sword forms, developed by the first earl Liam Gladewarden. In recent years knights-errant have been offered one of three paths when requesting a test of mettle from the current earl. <br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Lucentia.png|caption=House Lucentia|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Lucentia====<br /> * '''Location''': The most southwestern tip of Wiermoor, on the border with Astolat<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' An outstretched hand, gently holding a star with a background of navy blue and purple<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue, Purple and Silver<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Vesper Lucentia<br /> A young house created by Enchanter Vesper upon passing their test of mettle in Summer 385YE. The house is known for its distinct approach to the Virtue of Wisdom. The house has a focus on welcoming all comers, including many who have joined Dawn later in their lives from other nations. It is also a house of travellers and wanderers; those who seek new horizons and greater understanding. It has gained something of a reputation as a house of &quot;chain breakers&quot;, as many of its members have fought hard to save people under the yoke of oppressors.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Mortere.png|caption=House Mortére|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Mortére====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A black rose inside a golden hourglass on a split field of red &amp; black.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Black (Primary), Red and Gold.<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Morrigan Mortére<br /> Founded by Vaela Mortére in the reign of [[Empress Varkula]] during the Druj invasion of Weirwater, House Mortére has been reclusive and quiet for many years since. House Mortére is an unusual noble house, but those who do meet and interact with them often claim them to be friendly and hospitable, if a little unsettling. Their estate is often called ''The Black Garden'' as many poisonous and dangerous plants and herbs are grown there, along with numerous natural black roses. House Mortére seems especially concerned with the concept of death. The house seems to yield many weavers talented in Winter magic, and many of the nobles and yeofolk of the house seem to be very comfortable around the dead or dying. Often the house members appear to help with funerals, the terminally ill, or sick, but also to help the living with matters of great joy and sorrow.<br /> <br /> ====House Novarion====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Novarion.jpg|caption=House Novarion|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Applefell, Garthmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A phoenix in flames<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red and gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl D'Eon Novarion<br /> Formed in 52YE by a young warrior named Novaria, she gathered like-minded warriors to her banner during battles around Semmerholm. In recognition of this feat she was granted land and many of her warriors remained by her side and pledged to form a new house. Using the wealth and slaves rescued from the orcs they built a fortress on one of the highest hills in Applefell and were charged with its defence. House Novarion were popular with the troubadours of the time and several of their deeds are remembered in traditional folk songs such as Sir Isobel and The Novarion Phoenix which are still sung today.<br /> <br /> Years later, a large portion of the house died in a great fire following a strange magical event caused by their insular nature and only a handful escaped. The house's wealth and reputation were in ruins. The earl began the slow process of rebuilding the house, swearing to never again let those of his household grow to be weak closeted individuals.<br /> <br /> From then on, tests of mettle were always written so that extensive foreign travel was required. Insulation and clannishness was dangerous and should be avoided at all costs by prompting its members to seek glory from distant lands. Any person seeking entry into the house is often set difficult tasks that require extensive travel and perseverance to complete, thus encouraging them to grow into headstrong individuals with allies in unusual places.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Olor.jpg|caption=House Olor|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Olor====<br /> * '''Location:''' North Sandling <br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A glorious swan adorned by 2 roses upon a blue and red background with a red chevron.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue, white and red<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Adrahil Olor <br /> House Olor was rekindled by Earl Adrahil Olor and his 2 brothers. Nobles of Olor pride themselves on being furious to their enemies and bringing [[Glory]] to the House, Dawn, and the Empire and they adorn the sigil of the swan for this reason. The tales of House Olor often have mention of a swan offering assistance, often in a similar manner to the [[aspect_magic#Beast Magic]] in the Varuhskan sense.<br /> <br /> Housed in woods north of Sandling and nestled alongside a river flowing into the Semmerlak. Many swans call this place home and any person keen on taking a feather home for the house would find many in abundance here. <br /> <br /> Keen to remain true to their motto, the House is keen on front line combat, holding a glorious shield and a weapon of fury.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Orzel.jpg|title=&quot;Prove It!&quot;|caption=House Orzel|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Orzel====<br /> * '''Location:''' Belletain Vale (Sandling) <br /> * '''Heraldry:''' The white eagle of Gnijezdo and Primroses of Zoria<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red and Black<br /> * '''Earl:''' Valentin Ivarovich Severyan Orzel<br /> House Orzel is a union of two migrations from [[Varushka]], blending bloodlines and customs but embracing martial culture with the great traditions of the Empress Richilde’s most noble people. Favouring tests and trials involving quest and strange adventure, House Orzel finds a natural home in Dawn and has welcomed an increasing number of native Dawnish knights-errant into its nobility through great deeds of mettle and achievement. The Orzel have always measured and tested themselves against competence and skill, giving respect to Pride earned and laughing at pomposity, false claims, and weak authority in equal measure.<br /> <br /> Generous with praise and friendship for the accomplished, the Orzel care more for talent and achievement than they do for name or family history alone. In youth children are encouraged to demand their elders &quot;prove&quot; their claims of skill or knowledge rather than taking anything on faith alone. Orzel children are wild and reckless with tales of the youngest laughing at the snarls of invading wolves and hurling stones and chanting &quot;Prove It!&quot; to call the bluffs of ancient evil and bestial threat alike.<br /> <br /> Though wilful boldness and challenge mark daytime traditions, the Orzel consider [[Varushka_hearth_magic#Hospitality|guest-right]] sacred when the sun goes down. Music, song, and storytelling are great pleasures of hearth and home, and all should be welcomed, and none mistreated, when it is accepted. Darkness is a time for kindness and tales, [[Wisdom]] and preparing for the hard battles to come. Though sardonic humour runs strong through the Orzel, none should be denied hospitality or chased out into the night.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Remys.png|caption=House Remys|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Remys====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A snake coiled around a silver goblet, poison dripping from its fangs<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red and Silver<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Claudia Varkulova Remys<br /> Chateau Remys stands on a windswept hillside on the edge of the Weirmoor forest. Once the land was fertile and produced fine wines but several generations ago the land was devastated by a sickness that wiped out many of the nobles and decimated the yeofolk. The house was founded by a Varushkan [[boyar]] who left [[Volodmartz]] during the reign of [[Emperor Barabbas]]. Strongly touched by the realm of Winter, she began the tradition of tasking all aspirants to take on the draughir [[lineage]] as part of their Test of Mettle - to this day no noble of the house has borne any other lineage.<br /> <br /> The house is headed by the Enchantress Claudia Varkulova Remys who took over from her mother in YE382. The new Enchantress Remys has sworn to continue in her quest to restore House Remys to its former glory and show the Empire the power of the Winter Realm.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Rion.png||caption=House Rion|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Rion====<br /> * '''Location:''' Wickmoor (Near the [[Weirwater Vales]]) <br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Gilded White Stag Rampant, emblazoned upon a blue field <br /> * '''Colours:''' Main colour royal blue, secondary colours silver and white, tertiary colour black <br /> * '''Earl:''' Andred Rion <br /> House Rion is a moderately young house in comparison to the more established houses of Dawn. Founded during the reign of [[Empress Brannan]] by the first Lord Rion, a questing knight who had found his [[Love_in_Dawn|true love]]. Settling in Wickmoor, not far from the Weirwood Vales, Castle Rion was built, and the house grew around its foundations. Since then, most of House Rion’s Earls have been enchanters (including the “Mad Earl Rion”) specialising in Summer magic. The proximity of Castle Rion to the haunted Weirwood trees is to blame for many of the strange occurrences and events which seem to be commonplace on the House’ land. <br /> <br /> During the re-taking of the Barrens, almost all of the houses’ Nobles and a sizeable force of the yeofolk under their command were slain by the Druj in a surprise attack, in which the previous Earl died. House Rion are most notable for having a higher-than-average number of [[Dawn_magical_traditions#War_witches|war witches]] and enchanters in their house. Almost all their nobles are Summer mages, and more than half are [[Magical skills#Battle Mage|battle mages]]. On campaign and in battles, House Rion are usually deployed as skirmish lances to support houses with heavier lances.<br /> <br /> In recent years, the House has begun the brewing of ales and the distillation of fine wines and spirits.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Stonecall.jpg|caption=House Stonecall|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Stonecall====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirwater<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Green field, grey stone, red triskelion<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green, red, with highlight silver<br /> * '''Earl:''' Ser Dune du Vale<br /> House Stonecall is one of relative obscurity; an old house in truth, though it never rose to the lofty heights of its contemporaries. A collection of minor noble houses and yeofolk from Weirwater, the enduring stubbornness and determination of those that ally themselves under the red triskelion is testament to the longevity of the house. With the &quot;''Sweetglade Massacre''&quot; and the appointment of a new earl, House Stonecall strives to make a name for itself within Dawn and the Empire as a whole. No longer willing to just focus on surviving, they wish to claim glory, to grab with both hands the renown that has been out of their reach for so long, to prove to themselves and to others that they are worthy of standing shoulder to shoulder with the great houses of Dawn, and to be celebrated by bards and troubadours across the land due to their deeds. <br /> &lt;ic&gt;To be remembered in song, is to be written in stone.&lt;/ic&gt;<br /> <br /> ====House Tallstag====<br /> * '''Location:''' The Aldergate, Wickmoor<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A silver stag set in a field of green<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green and silver<br /> * '''Earl:''' Logan Tallstag<br /> “Prepare for all, Yield to none” - The motto of House Tallstag sings to the [[Ambition]] and [[Pride]] that all Tallstags aspire to. Founded in 380YE, House Tallstag was originally founded as a knightly order by Lord Logan, with the simple aim of becoming the most reputable monster hunters in Anvil. This desire was quickly outgrown as their ambitions of hunting greater monsters rose to tackling the greatest challenges they could find.<br /> <br /> House Tallstag prides itself on a reputation as one of the fiercest lances Dawn has. They reside in a once forgotten stronghold known as The Aldergate and they have tasked themselves with the complete destruction of the vallorn in its entirety, and work closely with Navarr stridings and steadings to achieve this great feat.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Tower de Risbanke.jpg|caption=House Tower de Risbanke|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House Tower de Risbanke====<br /> * '''Location:''' Hawksmoor (northwest of Hawthorn) <br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Argent Wolf on Azure field with Golden sun blazing in third quarter <br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue and yellow<br /> * '''Earl:''' Vacant<br /> The Tower De Risbanke stands at the peak of a bleak &amp; wild hillside near the border of [[Varushka]] within the Weirmoor forests. Surrounded by wolves, falcons and wild game this small household is a sanctuary for those needing food, drink, and a place to rest with a warm welcome. The house was founded with hospitality at its core, often believed to be due to its proximity of Varushka. The division between yeofolk &amp; nobles can sometimes be quite blurred in this small household where both warriors and weavers seek out new alliances and friendships. Boisterous songs can often be heard in the Weavers Rest tea house with the motto ''In Vino Veritas'' - In wine is truth. Tests of mettle are as often be artistic or culinary banquets in the field. Tests of ardour also often focus on the expression in the food of love.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House of the Twisted Rose.png|caption=House of the Twisted Rose|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====House of the Twisted Rose====<br /> *'''Location:''' Weirmoor<br /> *'''Heraldry:''' A white rose/roses with twisted stems, The runes Rhyv and Lann flanking it.<br /> *'''Colours:''' Purple<br /> *'''Earl:''' Enchantress Mirella of the Twisted Rose<br /> The House of the Twisted Rose was founded during 383YE. The Keep of the House, itself named Keepsake, was built out in the ruins of a fallen House, its name forgotten to time, its foundations nestled atop the peak of one the mountains near Delev. Though around the estate still sit statues of various nobles and in various states of disrepair, those within the House have a habit of asking these still forms for advice though they do not speak back.<br /> <br /> Members of the House have a reputation of self-sacrifice and knowledge of costs to be paid, owing to The Twisted Rose’ ties to both the Autumn and Winter realm, of contracts and oaths. As well as raw passion. This led to the House’s motto being “Ma Vie; Par Amour” (My Life; For Love in Asavean). Much of the House’s Tests have been based around the ideals of Love and Loyalty, often seeking to teach as much as test the one undergoing it; to bring them deeper in line with the House’s beliefs.<br /> <br /> ====House de Vere====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House De Vere.png|caption=House de Vere|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> *'''Location:''' North Hawksmoor<br /> *'''Heraldry:''' A silver owl displayed on a split field of wine red and gold.<br /> *'''Colours:''' Primarily wine red and gold, with silver secondary.<br /> *'''Earl:''' Vacant<br /> House de Vere was founded in pre-Imperial times by a noble of a now-forgotten house who completed a seemingly impossible Test of Mettle using a boon from the [[Barien|Lord of the Crossroads]]. House de Vere’s heraldry is a silver owl in honour of Barien and the story of the founder, and the house motto “In Blood Anointed” draws its origins from the story of the House’s founding. The house's estate sits at the border of Karov and Weirwater; where the forest meets the hills.<br /> <br /> The house is dedicated to investigating and destroying supernatural threats to Dawn, primarily monsters from beyond the border that threaten Hawksmoor, and other malignant foes of a magical nature.<br /> <br /> In 375YE the castle was left in ruins and the house was believed to have been wiped out following an attack from some unknown foe. In 385YE a knightly order made up of members of House de Vere that left the Empire shortly before the attack returned from questing in Asavea to find their house destroyed. The surviving members have since begun rebuilding the house, reaffirming the house's purpose as a bulwark against esoteric threats to Dawn.<br /> <br /> ===Houses of the Barrens===<br /> ====House Fawnwood====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Fawnwood.jpg|caption=House Fawnwood|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Fallow's Keep, Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A Golden Fawn on a field of green grass<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green, Gold and Purple<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Sebastián Fawnwood<br /> House Fawnwood was formed in Autumn 385YE, founded shortly after Dawn's triumph in the Barrens. As Dawn established its control of the territory, House Fawnwood made their home in the forests of western Dawnguard – taking the estate of Fallow’s Keep as their seat.<br /> <br /> A fawn of a fallow deer adorns the House heraldry, and whilst perhaps perceived by some as a symbol of peace and being a docile creature, it also symbolises a young, new house that will soon come of age.<br /> <br /> Priding themselves on their Loyalty and Courage, House Fawnwood boasts an array of heavy fighters, often found at the forefront of any battle, as well as powerful mages calling upon both the realms of Summer and Autumn. Both yeofolk and nobles alike are pushed to bring glory to the House in an attempt for the House to become more known within Dawn, and the Empire as a whole.<br /> <br /> Looking ahead to its future, House Fawnwood is ever loyal to the people of the Barrens, helping maintain Dawn's hold over the territory and furthering its development.<br /> <br /> ====House du Fel====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House du Fel.jpg|caption=House du Fel|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A ruined tower in white above a pink field with a blue pillar of flame<br /> * '''Colours:''' White, pink, and blue<br /> * '''Earl:''' Knight Commander Faith du Fel<br /> House du Fel is dedicated to inspiring the helpless to join battle by taking up arms even in the most hopeless of scenarios. They readily face losing battles and either clutch glorious victory from them or take pride in their defeat.<br /> <br /> Its knights and yeofolk believe that the best and only path to virtue is to fight and try to change the world for the better. Even against astounding odds, even against the whole rest of their nation or empire, they fight for what they believe to be right. To maintain the highest ideals of their nation, du Fel set dangerous and difficult tests. A majority, more than half, of those set tests by the house die during the completion of that test, though as often due to other causes they have decided to fight for as to the test itself. Due to their often martial nature, few members are anything other than questing knights or war witches, though anyone willing to wade into danger in the halls of the Senate or preach at the edge of doctrine to pursue virtuous truth will find camaraderie.<br /> <br /> House du Fel maintains a few small holdings in southern Dawnguard, near the old lands of House du Percy. Until Drycastle is rebuilt and a Knight of Dawnguard stands to protect the Barrens, no grand keep will be constructed, but there are waystations and shelter enough for the knights-errant to camp nearby when not on campaign.<br /> <br /> ====House du Froste====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House du Froste.png|caption=House du Froste|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Estmure, by lake Semmerlak<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Golden jackalope on a field of black and red<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red, Gold &amp; Black<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Gaston Wayfinder<br /> The history of House du Froste stretches back to before the conquest and settling of [[The_Barrens#Dawnguard|Dawnguard]].When Dawnguard fell the Earl Panthos Du Froste rushed to the aid of the civilians fleeing to Semmerholm. Ever since then waifs and strays looking to reclaim their homeland have flocked to their banner and their estate in the foothills of Estmure. <br /> <br /> In Anvil they are known for their standard bearing the jackalope that often serves as a rallying point through the Sentinel Gate, and the round table that the nobles of Dawn occasionally gather around for Earls Council.<br /> <br /> “''Our words have weight''&quot; is the house motto; being a house who believe wholeheartedly that actions are worth more than any number of words. Once a member has said something, they believe it should be binding to the core of their being.<br /> <br /> ====House Primevère====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Primevère.jpg|caption=House Primevère|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A mandowla surrounded by golden flames on a field of emerald green with a dusty light pink chevron.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Emerald Green, Dusty Light Pink, Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchantress Amelie Primevère<br /> After the glorious death of her husband, the enchantress took her retainer and military unit to find her late husband’s ancestral home in the Barrens, to lay his body to rest. While there, she decided to complete his ambition by rebuilding the castle to its former glory and founding the new house in his honour.<br /> <br /> The founders of House Primevère are powerful spring mages and briars, therefore they encourage their fellow house members to be prideful but vigilant in all that they do. House Primevère requires its members to be well educated in politics and the arts, as they know well that the gentle power of words and culture can bring just as much glory as martial might.<br /> <br /> ====House Solrené====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Solrené.png|caption=House Solrené|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Stonefire Keep, South of the Plains of Teeth<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden phoenix rising from flame against a field of red and white.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Red, white, and gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Earl Wulfrich Solrené<br /> During the reign of [[Empress Varkula]] a fringe group of heretics, driven by the old claims of Abraxus Whitespire, attempted to manufacture [[true liao]] through unknown means in an attempt to communicate with their past and future selves. In their hubris, the resulting concoctions drove them into a crazed bloodlust, putting ‘nonbelievers’ to the sword en masse. Foreseeing the coming bloodshed, a handful of virtuous Dawnish laid plans in secret for escape. When the killing began, they fled.<br /> <br /> Scattered and hunted, they traveled across the Barrens, seeking refuge in the desolate reaches of the Plains of Teeth. There, driven by desperation, they forced their way through a narrow pass in the cliffs—and beyond, hidden among the crags, they found salvation; a ruined keep lay nestled in the rock.<br /> <br /> Atop its highest tower, they lit a great beacon, a fire to call others who fled the heretics’ wrath. When their pursuers came, they held the pass—one at a time the enemy came, and one at a time they fell. That night, the virtuous stood unbroken.<br /> <br /> Here, they made their stand. The ruined keep became their home, the fire upon the tower their defiance. They named it Stonefire Keep, and from those exiles, a new house was born. House Solrené (pronounced Sol-ren-ay), sworn to the virtue of Ambition, would stand as a sanctuary for all who fled the shadow of heresy, and a thorn in the side of those who would see them burn.<br /> <br /> ====House Tonberry====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Tonberry.jpg|caption=House Tonberry|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Shield with two gold lozenges resting in a Vert field, Argent tiered foreground with a golden sword, staff, anvil. and rose.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green, White and Gold.<br /> * '''Earl:''' Vacant<br /> House Tonberry was once an established noble house in Dawnguard, east of Drycastle that was destroyed by the Druj. The House was known for its seven lords known to each other as siblings whilst being represented by an Earl and their partner, known as the &quot;Thegn&quot; of the house, the Thegn acts as the Earl’s second but also as a source of Wisdom, advice and comfort to the nobles and yeofolk of the house. The last pair were Earl Kairon Tonberry and their spouse Thegn Lianna Tonberry, who were both killed in defence of their home, along with most of House Tonberry. The surviving members of the house have split, believing themselves to be the last remaining. Each hopes to begin bringing glory back to their name and to eventually rebuild their house to what it once was.<br /> <br /> ====House Torawyr====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=HouseTorawyr.jpg|caption=House Torawyr|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Ruins of House Torawyr, Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Blue and White quartering with a red gauntleted fist with cynogriffon wings in the centre.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Blue and White.<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Edmund Torawyr<br /> House Torawyr was originally founded in southern Dawnguard near Murderdale. The house was primarily made up of apothecaries and fighters who tended and harvested their gardens to help Dawn fight the Druj and defend Dawnguard. When the Druj invaded in Summer 381YE, breaking the treaty, the fighters of House Torawyr were loyal until the last drop, laying down their lives to hold back the orcs as long as they could to allow as many people to flee as possible. In doing so all nobles of House Torawyr died or were taken as slaves.<br /> <br /> The house reformed at the end of 382YE, as a group of loyal yeofolk ventured back into the Barrens on a Test of Mettle to retrieve the banner of their house. The group saw their beautiful gardens wrecked with a blight, their herbs picked clean to supply the Druj with poisons. With caution they were successful in retrieving their banner, reforming the house under a new Earl, Enchanter Edmund Torawyr.<br /> <br /> After considerable effort, In 385YE House Torawyr returned to the Barrens with newfound loyal allies, resources, and magical might. The house with allies from the Amber Lance attacked the Spires of Dusk with the Hounds of Glory. Bringing with them over a hundred [[Clarion Call of Ivory and Dust|grim legionnaires]] of the eternal [[Kaela]]. Now the house has returned to its ruined land it must rebuild the gardens it once held with pride, and return the help given by those who helped take back Dawnguard.<br /> <br /> ====House De Tournesol====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=De Tournesol.jpg|caption=House De Tournesol|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A shield of dark pink with a large sunflower emblazoned in the bottom right corner, a small square of yellow emblazoned with a pink yale sits in the top left corner of the shield<br /> * '''Colours:''' Pink and Yellow<br /> * '''Earl:''' Brahmms De Tournesol<br /> Founded after the 385YE Summer Solstice from the ruins of a keep on the edges of Dawnguard, the high walls of the De Tournesol estate defend its residents from the wilds of the Barrens whilst also offering a place of respite for the injured and the weary. Enclosed within is a rich garden of cultivated medicinal [[herb|herbs]] littered with the house sunflower which grows determined in every corner of the keep. Its small but safe keep act as a basis for the house’s operations whilst also accommodating a space of respite for any traveller or wayward soul of the Empire. <br /> <br /> House De Tournesol consists mainly of those who can aid or heal, be it through surgery or magic, however will happily welcome all those who share in their ambitions to see Dawn and the Empire prosper through providing protection and rejuvenation to all those who may need it. Although their tests of mettle are tailored to those who partake in them, they contain two key themes in their task, which are to stand out gloriously and to make a stand in the face of danger. <br /> <br /> ====House Veridaine====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 250px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=House Veridaine.jpg|caption=House Veridaine|align=right|width=250}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Dawnguard<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A black dagger, pointing downwards, with a black snake on either side, facing outward, all on a field of red.<br /> * '''Colours:''' Black and Red<br /> * '''Earl:''' Toriith<br /> House Veridaine is a relatively new house, founded when the young Lord Toriith left House Orzel and journeyed to The Barrens in search of his idea for fresh, unclaimed glory. Priding itself on the loyalty and martial prowess of their nobles and yeofolk alike, House Veridaine focuses its efforts on the military and political Dawnish front. This focus on martial might is reflected heavily throughout the house and is often seen in their test of mettle. &quot;Glory Unbound&quot;, the House's words, stand as a testament to their proclivity for frontline volunteer work.<br /> <br /> The Veridaine estate of Blackrattle, and the surrounding village of Addering, sit in the reconquered Dawnguard territory, just east of Drycastle. The house has recently seen growth as young Dawnish knight-errants seek to pass their difficult trials.<br /> <br /> ==Orders and Cabals==<br /> ===Knightly Orders===<br /> The [[knightly order|knightly orders]] dedicate themselves to the pursuit of glory over all other considerations.<br /> ====Order of the Amber Lance====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Amber Lance.png|caption=Order of the Amber Lance|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Welkin’s Weald, Weirmoor, Weirwater<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' a field, tawny, charged with a teardrop, amber, upon which is emblazoned the Blood rune, Rhyv, in sable.<br /> * '''Knight-Captain:''' Ser Guy Wooder<br /> This proud young order was founded in the Autumn of 383YE by the briar Czernobog Stanislaus when he became a knight errant of House Castellan. A healer and steward of a herb garden, this first Captain's Ambition was to set Dawn on a par with other Imperial nations by founding a dedicated corps of combat physicks. In so doing, the Lance quickly managed to gain the Loyalty of several Weirwater houses, as well as questing knights and refugees from the Barrens.<br /> <br /> The knights maintain a permanent presence in the waterlogged hamlet of Welkin’s Weald, at the heart of a carefully coppiced forest of willow. It is from the [[ambergelt]] cultivated here that they draw their heraldry – a substance that hardens and strengthens but also promotes healing and mending, running like blood when first drawn, tough and crystalline when set. This duality is echoed in their motto: to take blood from stone (to do the impossible) is a common aphorism amongst these knights.<br /> <br /> In the first years of the Lance's existence, these Knights of Amber have committed themselves wholly to the Empire's war against the wretched Druj. They have sustained heavy losses in liberating Zenith and the Barrens, but remain steadfast in their commitment to preserve Imperial lives and bring succour and healing to all who need it. Bloodied though they may be, they proudly bear the rune of sacrifice upon their banners as they fight for a better world.<br /> <br /> ====Order of the Blazing Dawn====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Order of the Blazing Dawn.png|caption=Order of the Blazing Dawn|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' The Rose and Thorn tavern, Culwich, Weirwater<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' a blue field a yellow sun and orange rays beneath a winged sword supported<br /> * '''Motto:''' As Dawn Rises, the Sun Shall Set<br /> * '''Knight-Commander:''' Ser Tristan Ackerman<br /> Founded in the wake of the armies of the Cold Sun invading the Empire in 385 YE, the Order of the Blazing Dawn is an order of knights-errant and exists to drive the scions of the eternal back to the day realm. Driven by a love for all things that make the empire the centre for love and beauty that it is, the order strives to protect all nations its nations from this threat. The order is primarily made up martial knights and war witches to<br /> engage the cold sun as a physical threat. <br /> <br /> ====Knights of the Golden Mane====<br /> * '''Location:''' South of Culwich, Sandling, Weirwater<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A shield of azure with a white chief triangular. In the azure portion, a gold lion head facing forward within a gold wild rose. In the White portion the Jotra rune in azure.<br /> * '''Lord Commander:''' Leohnar Gildaryn<br /> The Knights of the Golden Mane are dedicated to upholding Virtuous acts and aim to record and share stories of Virtue from around the Empire. The quests they undertake, individually or together, all lend towards telling the tale of the knightly order and how they pursue Glory through virtuous acts. The grand quest of the order is to aid and preserve stories of Virtue. The order hall sits within the Lionskeep, the seat of power of House Gildaryn in Lionsholme, a town in [[Weirwater]] south of Culwich.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=KnightsoftheGoldenMane.png|caption=Knights of the Golden Mane|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> The order structure is very loose, with two commanding individuals. The Lord Commander oversees the order, while a Knight-Captain serves to advise and act as the leader of its lance through the Sentinel Gate. Under this structure, knights often are bestowed a title by the Lord Commander befitting of their skills, such as Knight-Magus. These are not enforced as roles of leadership, but a way for the Lord Commander to classify where they believe the skills of a knight could be best applied. Strangely yeofolk and knights-errant are welcomed as equals rather than apprentices, and have equivalent say and reach in the order’s quest.<br /> <br /> The main tradition the Knights of the Golden Mane hold is of the ''Night of Hallows''. Each Winter Solstice, the knights come together to receive [[hallow|hallowings]] of Virtue which best tell their stories, and to have the provided aura aid them in their next year. The knights share stories of their achievements throughout the year in Anvil and beyond, and pledge their quest for the following year to the Lord Commander.<br /> <br /> ====The Order of the Lance Restored====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Order_of_the_Lance_Restored.png|caption=Order of the Lance Restored|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' Roaming, though with a chapel near Kethry's Grove in Astolat<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' argent, a lion sable sejant upon which rests a lance gules<br /> * '''Knight-Marshal:''' Ser Dindrane de Cantharos<br /> The Order of the Lance Restored are - after a fashion - the remnants of an ancient order known as the Knights of the Feathered Spear, who are said to have guarded [[Astolat#Kethry.E2.80.99s_Grove|Kethry's Grove]] in the distant past. The original order fell into disgrace in 209YE when they aided [[Emperor Nicovar]] in destroying the libraries of the Empire, for reasons now forgotten to history. Following Nicovar's death, the Knights of the Feathered Spear disbanded, supposedly because during the chaos they lost a relic that they were sworn to protect - a spear believed to have been that of Makin the Red, a prominent figure in the story of the paragon [[Kethry]]. Two of their number were sentenced to death by penal military service; they fought in numerous battles thereafter, surviving and triumphing against all odds, and eventually attracted a cadre of questing knights who sought to redeem themselves of past dishonour. These knights eventually banded together under the banner of the Order of the Lance Restored.<br /> <br /> Since then, the order has become something of a refuge for the disgraced, the outcast, and those who simply do not fit in with their Houses. Sworn to roam the Empire until the Feathered Spear is recovered - though most doubt that it ever will be - the knights of the order seek to overcome their past failings by taking on difficult, open-ended, and sometimes nigh-impossible quests.<br /> <br /> ===Weaver Cabals===<br /> The [[weaver cabal|weaver cabals]] master magic, maintaining a studied neutrality in the politics of the nation.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Golden Leaf Cabal.png|caption=Golden Leaf|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====Golden Leaf====<br /> Founded in 384YE, the Golden Leaf Cabal find their specialism in the realm of Autumn. Whilst their roots lie with yeofolk from across Dawn, many nobles have since flocked to join their ranks. Formed of a union of Noble Houses, they cast their sights towards the bigger picture, the cabal is operated by a council, where every bonded member has an equal vote in its work and goals.<br /> <br /> The Golden Leaf does not operate in the shadows - their aims are clear and open, aiming to bolster the [[Prosperity]] of Dawn by enchanting both its people and territories. In turn, they try to further what they believe to be the Empire’s ambitions through engaging the complex relationships between Imperial bodies and the Autumn eternals operating under [[Alignment#Amity|amity]].<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Moon and Stars Cabal.jpg|caption=Moon and Stars Cabal|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====Moon and Stars====<br /> The Moons and Stars cabal was formed in 377YE as an ambitious attempt to create a cross-house Dawnish Night coven. The cabal aims to bring together Night mages from across the nation of Dawn to both aid the Empire and bring Glory to the individual weavers within the cabal. The cabal is named after the heraldic devices used by the Houses who were present at the founding of the endeavour. The cabal was originally formed, primarily, by mages belonging to House De Rondell and a house that has since fallen.<br /> <br /> The members of the Moons and Stars cabal are active participants in the business of the [[Imperial Conclave]]. Weavers from the cabal have held many important positions in the Conclave. The Moons and Stars cabal are celebrated for using their arcane powers to gather information, provide protection, break curses, and deliver curses. They are also widely known to regularly employ a range of novel and innovative rituals to achieve unusual and original results. They often use [[aspect_magic#Heraldic_Magic|heraldic magic]] in their rituals although individual styles are encouraged.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Phoenix Flame Coven.jpg|caption=The Phoenix Flame|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> ====The Phoenix Flame====<br /> The Phoenix Flame cabal were previously called the Chain-Sworn Scales, however after the commission of the Flame of the Phoenix near the Cabal’s home in 386YE, the cabal agreed to change their name in support of the magician who holds the title. The Phoenix Flame is an Autumn focused weaver cabal with members from across the noble houses of Dawn. At the end of 383YE they began to attend Anvil along with House Larmallevés, eagerly recruiting new members and quickly becoming one of the largest covens in Dawn. The Enchantress of House Larmallevés often organises the cabal along with other realm castings. However, all members have an equal say on the rituals the coven casts as the cabal operates as an equal union of yeofolk and nobility, with nobility often requested to gird into simpler attire for rituals.<br /> <br /> Though initially founded with a focus on enchantments for businesses, fleets, and farms the focus has shifted with the growth of the cabal's influence and power, and now they also support the congregations, military units and armies of Dawn. The coven most notably casting the last enchantment on the Hounds of Glory during the conquest of the Barrens. They aim to study the arcane and make new rituals through arcane projections, with members of the cabal encouraged to join an order and actively participate in the Conclave.<br /> <br /> ==Other Groups==<br /> ===Other Player Groups===<br /> <br /> ====The Emerald Lance====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Emerald Lance.png|caption=The Emerald Lance|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' An emerald on a rounded two-tone field of blue<br /> * '''Colours:''' Green and blue<br /> The Emerald Lance is a union of houses from across Dawn, drawn together by their dedication to aiding each other's Houses and their capability as a fighting force. <br /> <br /> Within the lance sits the Emerald Alliance, a group of houses pledged to each other in a formal accord. Houses within the Emerald Lance may, if they choose, request a test to join the Alliance.<br /> <br /> The Emerald Alliance is currently made up of House Caerleon, House de Bastion, and House Gladewarden.<br /> <br /> The wider Emerald Lance also includes House Gryphontale, House de Vere, and House Syrenus. <br /> <br /> ====The Iris Covenant====<br /> * '''Location:''' The Chase, Astolat<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A golden iris flower encircled by a ring of interlocking silver leaves<br /> * '''Colours:''' Gold and silver, with accents of purple and blue<br /> The Iris Covenant is a coalition of noble houses in Dawn, founded in Spring 386YE. It aims to foster collaboration and strength among its members, ensuring each house thrives both individually and collectively. The Covenant's &quot;prosperity pact&quot; centres around economic growth, mutual aid, and the cultivation of shared prosperity both within and outside of Anvil.<br /> <br /> The Hall of Bloom, House Videre's most prized possession, was chosen as the central meeting place for its symbolic golden iris, reflecting the Covenant's commitment to renewal and beauty. This hall now serves as a vibrant centre for meetings and celebrations.<br /> <br /> The Iris Covenant leverages its combined resources and talents to navigate political and economic challenges, remaining steadfast in its focus on the prosperity of its members without endorsing any external political agendas.<br /> <br /> ====The Order of the Gryphon’s Quill====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Gryphonsquill.jpg|caption=The Order of the Gryphon's Quill|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> * '''Location:''' The Chase, Astolat<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' Golden Gryphon rampant clutching a Quill on a Red and Blue split field with crenulated black border at top displaying a gilded Quill<br /> * '''Colours:''' Gold, Red, Blue<br /> The Order of the Gryphons Quill is a school and residence for troubadours and those wishing to further Dawnish arts and culture, led by Lady Kaywenn du Launcet and Lord Romande Remys. Located between the famous tourney ground of Laroc and the Kethry’s Grove it seeks to promote pride in Dawnish culture amongst its citizens and ensure that the most glorious tales are formed. Those of the order that attend anvil tend to be pride troubadours, performers or mages who specialise in magic to nudge stories in glorious directions. Order members whether noble or yeofolk seek to support each other in their endeavours to ensure Dawn weaves a glorious history. Those who wish to join the order can be from any house or any lineage as long as they are willing to ensure great legends last forever.<br /> <br /> ===NPC Groups===<br /> These groups are made up of non-player characters; their members are portrayed by Profound Decisions NPC crew.<br /> ====House de Casillon====<br /> * '''Location:''' Castle Spiral, on Weirmoor, in Weirwater<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A hand with fingers spread marked with a spiral&lt;br&gt;<br /> * '''Colours:''' Azure, Gold, and Violet&lt;br&gt;<br /> The de Casillon are an old house who hail from [[Weirwater#Spiral_Castle|Spiral Castle]], a pre-Imperial keep that stands at the heart of a powerful Summer regio. Their estates lie in [[Weirwater#Weirmoor|Weirmoor]] in the territory of Weirwater, and until very recently they lived in voluntary internal exile protected from the outside world by a wall of swirling magical mists. <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=DeCassilon.jpg|caption=House de Casillon|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> Many of the nobles of the de Casillon family claim descent from Empress Richilde, and are said to cultivate their bloodline in the way a vintner might cultivate a strain of fine grapes. They are usually possessed of a strong changeling lineage - it is very rare for anyone who is not a changeling to seek the Test of Mettle from the house and even rarer for them to succeed. Much of their business in the outside world is handled through the [[Castellan of Spiral Castle]], an [[Imperial title]] re-established in Spring 380YE.<br /> <br /> Almost all the de Casillon nobles are witches, and their earls have always been potent enchanters. Their yeofolk are likewise trained in magical arts, although many of them choose to embrace the path of the artisan. Even before their seclusion behind their wall of mist, they were known for hedonism and self-indulgence and it seems that several decades isolated in a Summer regio have merely heightened these tendencies - left to their own devices they would while away their lives in tourneys, in hunting, in feasting, and in other diverse amusements. There may be some weight to the concerns of some troubadours who worry that the de Casillon have become more like the inhabitants of the Summer realm than citizens of Dawn.<br /> <br /> ====House De Ledure====<br /> * '''Location:''' Weirwater<br /> * '''Heraldry:''' A gold star on an argent field&lt;br&gt;<br /> * '''Colours:''' Silver and Gold<br /> * '''Earl:''' Enchanter Geoffrey de Ledure<br /> A relatively new house that was once part of House de Rousillon, they split from that house in in 358YE, ten years after [[Emperor Hugh|Hugh de Rousillon]] took [[the Throne]]. Several knights of House de Rousillon and other knights who were after more action rather than tournaments joined the house. The house’s estates are based in [[Weirwater]], and under Earl Hugh’s reign, the house was successful in having a [[senator]] twice - whilst they were at the peak of their power. Today the house is led by the Enchanter Geoffrey de Ledure, who is from a line of powerful summer witches. It is believed that the house has won some powerful boons from the eternal [[Hayaak]], and they generally refuse to deal with other [[eternal|eternals]].<br /> <br /> In 378YE a marriage between House de Ledure and the rival House Blyrale was disrupted when the youths involved ran off to join the [[Navarr]]. This act ultimately cemented a union between the two houses and House Blyrale joined House de Ledure. According to gossip, the two houses are partially united by their anger at the Dawnish nobles who encouraged their scions to abandon their duty and flee the nation.<br /> <br /> ====House Lionsgate====<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right; width: 200px; clear: right;&quot;&gt;{{CaptionedImage|file=Lionsgate.png||caption=House Lionsgate|align=right|width=200}}&lt;/div&gt;<br /> *'''Location:''' The Chase, Astolat<br /> *'''Heraldry:''' Two red lions facing each other before a black gate<br /> *'''Colours:''' White, Red, and Black<br /> House Lionsgate was founded in 283YE by descendants of the disgraced House Lyongate, who disbanded shortly after the disastrous loss of the original [[Gryphon's Pride]] army in a failed attempt to capture the Barrens. The founders attracted a number of knights-errant and questing knights, and slowly rebuilt their house - although they never again enjoyed the prominence they had lost along with the army.<br /> <br /> The Lionsgate estates in Astolat are small but well maintained, and lie in The Chase. In recent years, the House has reclaimed some of its prominence as it has forged closer ties with a number of smaller noble houses - especially the cunning de Coyne of Dawnguard and the proud de Helios of Astolat. In 379E, then earl Lady Cassandra contacted several Dawnish nobles active in Imperial politics and offered aid in the re-establishment of the Gryphon's Pride. The loose coalition of smaller houses managed to secure a number of wains of mithril to help with the mustering of the fourth Dawnish army, seeing in this endeavour an opportunity to reclaim some of the pride they had lost over a century before. it remains to be seen if, now the army has been completed, they will continue to involve themselves in Dawnish politics or retreat to their estates.<br /> <br /> ==Contributing==<br /> Any player character group in [[Dawn]] can submit an entry for this page. The entry should come from the out-of-character group leader and be emailed to [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk]. <br /> <br /> It should contain the following information:<br /> <br /> * Group archetype (noble house, weaver cabal, knightly order). If your group doesn't have one of these archetypes, it will be listed in the &quot;other&quot; section.<br /> * Territory and region where the groups lands are physically located. Noble houses have estates, but both knightly orders and weaver cabals will be tied to a physical location that serves as their base of operations. If you are a group in exile that has fled the Barrens you can mention that<br /> * A description of your groups [[Noble house#Heraldry|heraldry]], with an image if desired. All noble houses have heraldry, as do most knightly orders and weaver cabals.<br /> * If your group has specific colours, you can mention them here.<br /> * If your knightly order has a publicly known oath you can include it in this section, bearing in mind that the best oaths of this nature are short and pithy<br /> * The name of your [[earl]] if you are a noble house. If there is someone in your knightly order or weaver cabal that serves as the in-character leader of the group, you can mention them and their title here<br /> <br /> You should also include up to 250 words of description, detailing the kind of things that other characters might know about your group. Have a look at the description for a [[noble house]], or at the archetype pages for weaver cabals and questing knights for ideas on the kind of information that is useful. You must also include a few sentences of history, especially around the circumstances of the house's formation or origin.<br /> <br /> Some other questions to consider include:<br /> * If you are a noble house, do you have a particular [[Dawn_culture_and_customs#The_Test_of_Mettle|Test of Mettle]] for which they are known, or a noteworthy method of choosing their earl?<br /> * Are there one or more particular archetypes the group is particularly associated with, either noble of yeofolk? Obviously knightly orders will contain questing knights, and weaver cabals are expected to have weavers among their number, but is there a noteworthy archetype that might be unexpected or has a special role?<br /> * Does your group have a particular ambition which helps unify your members?<br /> * Is there anything notable about the lands you claim, or about the physical buildings that serve as your home?<br /> <br /> Things to avoid include:<br /> * Too much [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Worldbuilding worldbuilding] detail — this represents information other characters may know about your house. It's not a place to define elements of the game world<br /> * Lists of character names — this isn't a place for getting your name on the wiki <br /> * Too much emphasis on the past — while it's useful to have a few lines of history, what matters in Empire is what your house does on the field at events<br /> <br /> It's possible to update the information on this page over time (for example if your earl changes) with an e-mail to [mailto:plot@profounddecisions.co.uk plot@profounddecisions.co.uk].<br /> <br /> [[Category:Dawn]] [[Category:Groups]]<br /> <br /> <br /> &lt;!--<br /> {{stub}}<br /> This page is marked for deletion; see [[Dawn groups]] for further details<br /> ==Houses of Astolat==<br /> Well defended, civilized and beautiful, [[Astolat]] is the heartland of the nation.<br /> ===House de Coeurdefer===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Black and silver&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Silver armoured fist gripping a crescent moon, flanked by a crescent moon on either side on a field of black. &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Astolat, Winterbourne &lt;br&gt; &lt;br&gt;<br /> One of the ancient Houses of Dawn, House De Coeurdefer have been led by Draughir Earls for as long as anyone can recall. They settled in Winterbourne and built Ironheart Keep, a castle crafted from stone, bone, and iron where it is said that the chill of Winter never really leaves any of its halls. Their furnishings are constructed from the bones of enemies, a constant reminder of past Glory and victories and below in their crypts lay the bones of their fallen heroes.<br /> <br /> The scions of the House have a reputation for ruthless Ambition and unwavering Loyalty to any they regard worthy and no mercy for those they call their enemies. Their current Earl has sworn an oath of loyalty to House De Rondell, promising to answer any call for aid<br /> <br /> The House has spent recent years fighting in the Barrens, conducting raids and assaults on the Druj that occupied the lands, almost all of the House's resources were used to prosecute the fight against the Orcs and reclaim territory for Dawn and the Empire, nearly bringing ruin to the Coeurdefer name. As such they are now smaller and less prominent than they have been but their return to Anvil looks to stop the rot and restore the House to its former Glory.<br /> ===House Cordraco===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=HouseCordraco.jpg|title=Newly formed, proud of their ferocious love of life.|caption=House Cordraco|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Gold and Purple&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Two dragons facing each other, their tails intertwined. &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Astolat, Oldheart &lt;br&gt; &lt;br&gt;<br /> Cordraco is a recently formed House that completed a test to become officially recognised at the Spring Equinox of 380YE, slaying a mighty [[Mundane_beasts#Drakes|drake]] to claim their place among the noble houses.<br /> <br /> They are the result of a glorious amalgamation of several old noble houses of Dawn, L'Oreal, Bascombe, and Arwood, whose fine knights and yeofolk formerly fought together in the Lance of the Dragon Heart, and realised that the path to true glory was to unite, and to see themselves strengthen as a result.<br /> <br /> Led by the glorious, and forward speaking Earl Geraint Cordraco, they pride themselves on their camaraderie, ferocity in battle and their love of life. A house that truly values all that it means to be Dawnish.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=De Rondell Heraldry.png|title=House de Rondell|caption=House de Rondell|align=right|width=250}}<br /> ===House de Rondell===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Blue and Silver&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Three crescent moons around a gryphon&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Astolat, Laroc &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> An ancient house existing from before the founding of the Empire, that has had its fortunes rise and fall many times over the centuries but proximity to the [[Astolat#The_Castle_of_Thorns|Castle of Thorns]] in Astolat has always kept them near to the political heart of Dawn (indeed there is some evidence that the castle itself was designed by a de Rondell in the earliest days of the Dawnish presence on the Bay of Catazar). This house has returned [[Senator|senators]], [[general|generals]] and [[cardinal|cardinals]] again and again over the centuries. <br /> <br /> Serving Dawn by forming links with those outside of Dawn. As such the household places an ongoing emphasis on questing in other parts of the Empire and gaining the regard of others in this way, long after many houses expect their office holders to focus in other areas. <br /> <br /> The House uses virtues as the inspiration behind their deeds and ancestral achievements, these virtues are immortalised in the three silver crescent moons on a blue background surrounding the house heraldry of a gryphon rampant or in the case of the other icons chosen by individual Nobles. The moons represent [[Pride]] in one's own worth and that which one's ancestors have won; [[Ambition]] to constantly reach out and grasp every situation and turn it the advantage of the house; and [[Courage]] to always step forwards into the fray or into the unknown.<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right;&quot;&gt;&lt;quote by=&quot;Bohemond de Rondell&quot;&gt;We have been there from the beginning of the Empire, we will be there at the ascension.&lt;br/&gt; Until that day we shall steer it towards greatness and Glory&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> House de Rondell's martial tests of mettle are quite difficult and can easily result in the death of the unwary; the other theme that runs through their tests is an emphasis on political acumen and the ability to influence others to act on their behalf and for the good of the empire.<br /> ===House du Soleil===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=House du Soleil.jpg|title=.|caption=House du Soleil|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Orange and blue&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Black tower against rising sun&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Astolat, Oldheart&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> Du Soleil is an ancient house pre-dating the Empire. Ancient records show members active within the ancient order of the Venatores Illustres Hunters, indeed the first earl, Alberic, may have been partly responsible for the formation of the order.<br /> <br /> Based in Castle Soleil near Oldheart in Astolat, with extensive vineyards and orchards, du Soleil is famed for its red wine and calvados.<br /> <br /> Earl Roger is rebuilding the house to its former glory, following the death of most of the house’s warriors in a surprise ambush by the Druj during a defence of the Towers of Dawn. A tower was added to the house sigil to commemorate the deaths of those brave folk.<br /> <br /> Currently the house holds nobles and yeofolk of all ilk but battlefield skills are highly prized in House du Soleil.<br /> ===House Vandale===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Purple and black&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Rampant wolf on argent&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Astolat, &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> A proud and ancient house of historic influence, formally found at the vanguard of every major military campaign that Dawn has taken part in.<br /> <br /> The Vandale star burned brightly for centuries only to wane in the rule of Empress Britta; where their most prominent Nobles and finest soldiers were all but wiped out in Britta's final stand.<br /> <br /> Unbowed in the face of adversity the remaining Vandale swore to rebuild. Fiercely proud of their ancient Glory, this process is a slow one as any test set will be sure to drive the knight-errant to surpass their limits.<br /> ==Houses of Semmerholm==<br /> Becoming part of the Empire during the reign of [[Empress Richilde]], after a protracted war against the orcs, [[Semmerholm]] has always had a fiercely martial aspect.<br /> ===House Dromond===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Sea-green, silver and gold&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A silver sea serpent beneath a golden chalice, on sea-green. &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Semmerholm, Causse &lt;br&gt; &lt;br&gt;<br /> The keep of House Dromond is a well defended harbour and shipyard, it is sometimes known as the Anchorage by the far-flung ships of the Dromond nobles. Looking to the Semmerlak and the seas beyond, this house are either naval enthusiasts or brutal raiders, depending on your point of view. <br /> <br /> Traders and enchanters, wanderers and privateers, the Dromonds have a tendency to search beyond the horizon, finding trouble and riches in equal measure. <br /> <br /> They invested heavily in the fleets of Emperor Barabbas, and were almost ruined with them. An unusual attitude to money and a house dedicated to Prosperity have seen a recent rise in their fortunes, and the current earl, Argent has ruled the house since 378YE and is set on balancing Glory and Prosperity for his house and nation.<br /> ===House Devereux===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Emerald green and silver &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A silver tree on green field &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Semmerholm, Semmer's Rose &lt;br&gt; &lt;br&gt;<br /> House Devereux is a small noble house which was established in the reign of Emperor Nicovar. Its main seat of residence is a medium size, moated castle near the banks of the Semmerlak, surrounded by a couple of hamlets. It’s just slightly north of Semmer’s Rose.<br /> <br /> Since the death of the current Earl’s wife, the House has been rather reclusive. The Earl has remarried twice, but never recovered from the death of his first love, leaving him to be exceedingly over protective of his house. Perhaps this is because, unusually, a lot of its members are related by blood, and are either children or assorted relatives of the current Earl. The house has a long standing rivalry with a bandit clan, led by the disgraced Mariot Devereux, who lost a test of resolve with her sister, the former Earl, many years ago. The bandits have somehow managed to evade capture, and continue to plague the House relentlessly.<br /> <br /> Despite the earl’s misgivings, the younger members of the house are eager for glory, and in 379 YE House Devereux forged an alliance with House Cordraco, and for the first time in years, sent representatives to the summit at Anvil.<br /> ===House de Lusignan===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Black and red&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Bare White Tree &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Semmerholm, Axmure&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> A cabal of magicians, primarily practitioners of [[Winter magic]], the house was founded in the pre-Imperial past by the legendary Gui I, an enchantress. Many years later, Gui II fought alongside Empress Richilde in the conquest of [[Semmerholm]]. She was rewarded with ample lands in the dark forests of [[Semmerholm#Axmure|Axmure]].<br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:right;&quot;&gt;&lt;quote by=&quot;Anon&quot;&gt;They may not have been virtuous, but you cannot say they were not glorious.&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> The house tended to remain quiet and involved in its own affairs - its proximity to the Barrens mean that although many tried to make it a &quot;last friendly house&quot; on their journey - they have never found it particularly friendly.<br /> <br /> The most recent enchantress, Isolde, a [[draughir]], was known for setting particularly difficult tests and being insular and spiteful. She did not make many friends, and was not particularly successful in making fostering agreements with other houses either. Her son Gui IX succeeded her following her death in 378YE and led the house out from the darkness of Axmure. However, it came to light in 380YE that Gui and most of his house were [[Freedom_Heresy|Freedom heretics]], who had been working against the Empire for some time, [[curse|cursing]] much of the Empire and almost bringing the Empire’s war efforts to its knees with famine.<br /> <br /> The leaders of the house took their own lives at the Spring Equinox of 380YE – their name now looked on with disdain by most of the Dawnish. As a consequence, the status of the house is somewhat unclear.<br /> ===House Ossienne===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=House Ossienne Heraldry.png|title=A house of dreaded knights and terrible witches.|caption=House Ossienne|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Orange,gold and white&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A crowned skull and golden rose with thorns&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Semmerholm, Ulvenholm,&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> Ossienne's home used to be in Astolat, but following Empress Richilde's conquests, moved to the forests of Ulvenholm near Arnet where they dwell in the Castle of Bones.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> There has always been a Castle of Bones, said to be built from the golden, gilded bones of their enemies. There has always been a family in the colours of the dawn who resided there. In their blood and bearing flows the riches of royalty. Their ranks of nobles made up of dread knights and beautiful but terrible witches. <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:left;&quot;&gt;&lt;quote&gt;Glory crown the skull and glory pluck the rose&lt;br&gt;And let none call an enemy “friend”&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> They have always offered assistance to those in emotional turmoil, and provided great and terrible challenges to those seeking to prove their worth. To capture a golden rose from the Ossienne garden or a gilded bone from their art collection is to be sung in a tale that will live forever.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> ===House Rylas===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Red and blue &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Gold boar's head surrounded by silver flowers, on red halved with blue.&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Semmerholm, Axmure&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> Located deep in the wilds of Axmure, House Rylas has always had a reputation for stubborn eccentricity, combined with great loyalty to their lands and people. The nobles of the house can as often be found patrolling the roads and trails of the region for threats and checking on the wellbeing of villages and settlements such as the great grey towers of Boar's Pike. Passing travellers can always find shelter at the castle and a quirky house tradition means that anyone travelling alone will receive an escort to their next stop - whether they want it or not.<br /> <br /> However in recent years the House suffered a great setback - a vicious combination of disease and barbarian raiders further complicated by dire winter weather wiped out much of their fighting strength, including the earl and many brave knights. As a result the new earl has ordered the temporary relocation of all non-essential, non-combatants. The children have been fostered to other noble houses in Semmerholm and many adults have taken the opportunity to visit friends and relatives in other parts of the Empire. Where Boar's Pike was once a peaceful place full of families, it is now a stern garrison, looking south to the Barrens and the looming threat of the Druj.<br /> ===House Tamerlaine===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Tamerlaine_coat_of_arms.jpg ‎|title=.|caption=House Tamerlaine|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Green, black and silver&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Silver unicorn on black and green field &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Semmerholm, Semmer's Rose&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> Their lands lying near a sleepy hamlet to the south of Semmer’s Rose, House Tamerlaine is an old and small Dawnish house that faded and became more inactive over time. Both nobles and yeofolk of the House are very much focused on learning and perfecting their various arts, but have not much shared what they have learnt with the rest of the nation. When not ensconced in their compound, noble members tend to be travelling across the Empire, researching their arts.<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:left;&quot;&gt;&lt;quote by=&quot;House Motto&quot;&gt;&quot;If the bird will not sing, we shall make it sing”&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> They are currently lead by an Earl named Thérèse. While the house is not made up of the strictest of traditionalists, challenges must always be met. Tamerlaine are prominent in encouraging that not every duel is settled by sword, but by words, brushes or songs as well. The relations between yeofolk and nobles is more relaxed than many - nobles are expected to take the lead and act as instructors to the yeofolk, helping them develop their craft. <br /> <br /> With the upheaval of the past decade, Tamerlaine have begun to re-think their isolating ways and slowly reaching out. There has been a disinclination towards the martial in the past, the House motto defines the steely determination of its members. &lt;br&gt;<br /> ==Houses of Weirwater==<br /> The craggy hills of [[Weirwater]] are home of many weavers, and the noble houses here seem to have more than their fair share of witches.<br /> ===House de Celeste===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=House_de_Celeste.jpg|title=A house born under the stars|caption=House de Celeste|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Purple and silver&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Silver star on purple background &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater, Culwich&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> House De Céleste is a relatively young Dawnish house, having existed for 87 years. It was formed by a splinter faction of the House Grotte, which was ruled with an iron fist by the so called tyrant, Enchanter Dorian Grotte.<br /> <br /> His younger brother (and heir apparent) Alinar defied his brother, set forth with the a few loyal vassals, his new Urizen bride, and her family; who had come to settle in Dawn, thus House De Céleste was born, under the stars for all to see. Over the following years many in House Grotte defied Dorian's tyranny, and sought to join the rising House De Céleste. House Grotte, however, still clung to life. Forcing the young Earl Alinar to face Dorian in single combat. Though he lamented the act, Alinar slew his brother, ending his reign, and the House Grotte along with it.<br /> <br /> Since that time House De Céleste has lacked an enchanter, but it is tradition for the ruling Earl to seek guidance from a witch, known to the house as 'Counsellor of Stars'.<br /> <br /> House De Céleste had remained stable in the years since. Seeking the glory and adventure befitting a House of Dawn. However, in recent times the De Céleste finds itself again destabilised. A series of events saw leadership of the House change in recent years, and currently Earl Hannasmyth has stepped up to rule, vowing to strengthen her faltering House<br /> <br /> ===House Griffinsbane===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=HouseGriffinsbane.png|title=The house of both the current egregores.|caption=House Griffinsbane|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Red and Black&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A red Griffin rampant on a Gold field&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater, Weirmoor<br /> <br /> House Griffinsbane are an old house, from the region of Weirmoor in [[Weirwater]]. It is thought by many that the house’s name comes from the tradition of the house where yeofolk, wishing to perform their test of mettle, must travel up the Weirmoor Mountains and slay one of the many griffins that dwell in its peaks on the [[Karov]] border. This is an important duty, for otherwise they will grow too large and be a danger to livestock and maybe children.<br /> <br /> There are stories of the creation of the house, where a young noble of House de Casillon bested a herald of the [[eternal]] [[Hayaak]] to protect his cousin, [[Empress_Richilde|Richelle]]. He formed his own house to the north of [[Weirwater#Spiral_Castle|Spiral Castle]].<br /> <br /> House Griffinsbane has been small and not very politically active for a long time.<br /> <br /> ===House De Ledure===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Silver and Gold&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A gold star on an argent field&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> A relatively new house that was once part of House de Rousillion, they split from that house in in 358YE, ten years after [[Emperor Hugh|Hugh de Rousillion]] took [[the Throne]]. Several knights of House de Rousillion and other knights who were after more action rather than tournaments joined the house.<br /> <br /> The house’s estates are based in [[Weirwater]], and under Earl Hugh’s reign, the house was successful in having a [[senator]] twice - whilst they were at the peak of their power. Today the house is led by the Enchanter Geoffrey de Ledure, who is from a line of powerful summer witches. It is believed that the house has won some powerful boons from the eternal [[Hayaak]], and they generally refuse to deal with other [[eternal|eternals]].<br /> <br /> In 378YE a marriage between House de Ledure and House Blyrale was disrupted when the youths involved ran off to join the Navarr. This act cemented a union between the two houses and House Blyrale joined House de Ledure. According to gossip, the two houses are partially united by their anger at the Dawnish nobles who encouraged their scions to abandon their duty and flee the nation.<br /> <br /> '''OOC Note:''' House de Ledure is an NPC noble house.<br /> ===House Orzel===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=HouseOrzel.jpg|title=House Orzel has roots in Varushka, but has flowered in Dawn.|caption=House Orzel|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Red and Black&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Eagle and Primroses&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater, Sandling<br /> <br /> House Orzel is a union of two migrations from Varushka to Dawn, blending bloodlines and customs but embracing the martial culture with great traditions of the Empress Richilde’s most noble people. With focus on martial training, warlike preparation and enthusiastic adoption of tests and trials which involve quest and adventure, House Orzel finds a natural home in Dawn and has welcomed an increasing number of native Dawnish knights-errant into its nobility through trials of mettle and achievement. &lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> The Orzel have always measured and tested themselves against competence and skill, giving respect where earned and laughing at pomposity, false claims and weak authority in equal measure. Generous with praise and friendship for the accomplished - the Orzel care more for talent and achievement than they do for name or family history alone. In youth children are encouraged to demand their elders &quot;prove&quot; their claims of skill or knowledge rather than taking such claims on trust or simple faith. A teacher is only respected if their knowledge is valuable, a tutor at arms needs to demonstrate superiority with blade to be worthy of attention. Orzel children are wild and reckless with tales of the youngest laughing at the snarls of invading wolves and hurling stones and chanting &quot;Prove It!&quot; to call the bluffs of ancient evil and bestial threat alike. Orzel youngsters grow up with battle-scars experience and confidence if they grow up at all. &lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> &lt;div style=&quot;float:left;&quot;&gt;&lt;quote&gt;Though sardonic humour and jokes still run strong with Orzel,&lt;br/&gt;none should be denied hospitality or chased out into the night.&lt;/quote&gt;&lt;/div&gt;<br /> <br /> Though wilful boldness, irreverence and challenge mark daytime traditions, Orzel hold hospitality and guest rights sacred when the sun sets, and friends gather to eat, drink and share tales of exploits and adventure. Music and song and storytelling are great pleasures of the hearth and all should be offered hospitality in the household of Orzel and none mistreated when it is accepted. This includes those of a monstrous disposition and the Orzel of northern descent remember well the tales of mora and wolves with mortal guise and though the house is bound by sacred oath to oppose the influence of Winter and volodny alike, darkness is a time for tales, wisdom and preparing for the hard battles to come. &lt;br&gt;<br /> ===House Rakshasa===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=HouseRak.jpg|title=Strong in weaver magic.|caption=House Rakshasa|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Black and Teal &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A Silver Rakshasa on a field of black, edged with teal &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwood, Weirwater&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> A new house formed by Grave Enchantress Rheged Rakshasa at the Spring Equinox, 382YE, following a test set by the late Dread Enchantress Orlene de Ossienne, House Rakshasa calls a decrepit, but functional manor in Weirwater their home.<br /> <br /> Formed from a group of Saker from Wintermark who traveled to Dawn, they helped to cleanse the land of an infestation of husks. House Rakshasa is a house strong in weaver magic, with a focus in the realm of Winter, though its character and interests are diverse.<br /> <br /> With a burgeoning reputation for implacability, and a growing interest in the ancient weaver and guiser arts, the people of House Rakshasa are keen to make their mark and burn their glory across the skies.<br /> ===House de Roche===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Blue, green and grey &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A grey mountain overlooking a blue river, backed by green &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater, Weirmoor &lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> House de Roche is an old and inward-looking Weirwater house. Proud of their motto ‘Roche Solide’, de Roche’s nobles are as stalwart – and sometimes as sombre – as the crags that surround the family’s stony castle. In the past they have tended to rely on their own children to take Tests of Mettle and join the house, caring little for expansion beyond the occasional Test of Ardour.<br /> <br /> The House was ravaged in the recent battles against husks in Weirwater. Many of its yeomanry perished, as did the Earl’s heir apparent, her son Raymond de Roche. Rumours that Raymond’s corpse was later seen marching with the army of the dead chilled the once proud and haughty Earl to the bone. She has retreated into her library, leaving her daughter Segoline de Roche to look after the houses affairs.<br /> <br /> Segoline now seeks to rebuild the House, looking beyond the walls of its dour fortress. To aid in this endeavour, she has sent a delegation to Anvil to support her interests - but as de Roche nobles are in short supply, the House is currently represented by its somewhat down-at-heel (but never downhearted) yeofolk.<br /> ===House Novarion===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Red and gold &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Phoenix in flames &lt;br&gt; <br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater, Applefel<br /> A house that fell to ruin four generations ago and now encourages its members to accomplish great deeds in distant lands or other parts of the Empire as an important part of its tests of mettle.<br /> <br /> Formed in YE 52 by a young warrior named Novaria, she gathered like-minded warriors to her banner during battles around Semmerholm. In recognition of this feat she was granted land and many of her warriors remained by her side and pledged to form a new house. Using the wealth and slaves rescued from the orcs they built a fortress on one of the highest hills in [[Weirwater#Applefell|Applefell]] and were charged with its defence. The Novarion were popular with the [[troubadour|troubadours]] of the time and several of their deeds are remembered in traditional folk songs such as [[Sir_Isobel|Sir Isobel]] and [[The_Novarion_Phoenix|The Novarion Phoenix]] which are still sung today.<br /> <br /> Years later, a large portion of the house died in a great fire following a strange magical event caused by their insular nature and only a handful escaped. The house's wealth and reputation were in ruins. The earl began the slow process of rebuilding the house, swearing to never again let those of his household grow to be weak closeted individuals.<br /> <br /> From then on, tests of mettle were always written so that extensive foreign travel was required. Insulation and clannishness was dangerous and should be avoided at all costs by prompting its members to seek glory from distant lands. Any person seeking entry into the house is often set difficult tasks that require extensive travel and perseverance to complete, thus encouraging them to grow into headstrong individuals with allies in unusual places.<br /> ===House Tallstag===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Green and Silver&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Silver stag's head on green background &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Weirwater, Weirwoods &lt;br&gt;<br /> <br /> In 380YE the house was formed by a young Dawnish nobleman, Earl Logan Tallstag, soon after his test of mettle. Choosing Weirwater as their home, he and his yeofolk built Keep Tallstag among the most infested woods in Dawn.<br /> <br /> The people of House Tallstag work tirelessly to purge the Empire of vile beasts in courageous and challenging tests of mettle, taming the lands with an iron will, hunting beasts as close as their front door to monsters dwelling in the Weirwater Mountains. They take great pride in expanding their house's treasured bestiary and battling stronger and more vicious creatures.<br /> <br /> Though young, the house already has sturdy traditions surrounding their hunts. The great halls of Tallstag are adorned by all manner of beast's heads, each one a trophy from a great hunt. Hung upon the walls surrounding the great hearth, many stories are told and drinks shared under their hollow eyes.<br /> <br /> House Tallstag aims to bring all the people of Dawn the opportunity to rise and be heard among the older noble names.<br /> <br /> ==Houses of the Barrens==<br /> The noble houses of [[The Barrens#Drycastle|Drycastle]] in [[the Barrens]] have been overrun by the [[Druj]]. Those few who remain must use magical means to prevent themselves being overrun by the [[orc|orcs]], and many have relocated to other Dawnish territories.<br /> ===House Aurelius===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=HouseAurelius.jpg|title=Defenders of Drycastle, proud of the traditions that make Dawn glorious.|caption=House Aurelius|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' Azure and Gold&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' A Golden, antlered, crowned maned lion's head. &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Barrens, Dawnguard&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> An old house of Dawn, bordering on the Barrens, this house has been worn from its battles with the Empire's Barren foes. Now with a penchant for the old ways and traditions, this house is said to have a close affiliation with the [[eternal]] [[Eleonaris]]. The house's main seat within its Drycastle estates is festooned with flags, and called ''The House of Pennants''. <br /> <br /> Much repaired after ceaseless attacks, the old traditions of Dawn can be seen in the abundant - albeit threadbare - heirlooms and adornments that bedeck the members of its house, their demesne, and their properties.<br /> <br /> The house has a plenitude of [[changeling|changelings]] and is known for its impulsive, temperamental, playful and often haughty nature. Even more so than most Dawnish, they are known to never refuse a challenge.<br /> ===House de Carsenere===<br /> '''House Colours:''' Royal Blue and Silver&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Silver Chimera&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Barrens, Dawnguard &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> A young noble house having been formed in 330YE when a charismatic [[cambion]] named Aramis split from House Videre and convinced several knights of the house that the his [[ambition]] of conquering the Barrens could be realised. The house claimed estates in Drycastle, and engaged in eight years of bloody campaigns - with little gain being made - culminating in the earl's death in 338YE.<br /> <br /> Aramis was succeeded by Hagan, a [[changeling]] woman, who led the house to [[glory]]. She worked on coordinating with the [[Navarr]], and defending Drycastle from the [[orc|orcs]]. Passing away in 373 YE she was replaced by Tristram de Carsenere who once again began pursuing more aggressive tactics. <br /> <br /> Following the appointment of [[Empress Britta]] to [[the Throne]] the house began making preparations for a full campaign in the Barrens. Tragically the young Empress died before such a campaign could properly begin so Carsenere made their political movements to Anvil to push the agenda. They have been successful so far, providing a [[senator]] to the Empire twice since Britta’s death. <br /> <br /> Following a mortal wound dealt to Earl Tristram, Lady Vivienne de Carsenere took up the mantle of enchantress. She was succeeded in her turn by the current Earl, Lord Escalados.<br /> ==Location Unclear==<br /> ===House Akella===<br /> '''House Colours:''' White and Gold &lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldry:''' Wolf's Head &lt;br&gt;<br /> House Akella, a comparatively recent addition to the noble houses of Dawn, was formed in the winter of 379YE. Previously led by Soldier, a militaristic [[draughir]] knight with a vague and mysterious past he is reluctant to discuss, who fell in battle recently. They consist mostly of knights and [[yeofolk of Dawn|yeofolk]] who were present at Drycastle in [[The_Barrens#Dawnguard|Dawnguard]] during the early months of [[the Barrens]] [[crusade]]. <br /> <br /> They are a small, but ruthlessly aggressive house. Though the currently have no lands to call their own, they follow the [[Dawn_military_concerns#The_Gryphon.27s_Pride|Gryphon’s Pride]] banner into the Barrens to conquer fresh territory to call home.<br /> <br /> ===House Martel===<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=HouseMartel.png|caption=House Martel|align=right|width=250}}<br /> '''House Colours:''' White and black&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''House Heraldy:''' Three white stars on a black field&lt;br&gt;<br /> '''Location:''' Barrens, Murderdale &lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;<br /> House Martel are an old house; they claim to have settled in the Barrens as the forebears of the other Dawnish houses were still traveling across land from overseas. They are composed of several families, including the Rookwood, who’s own family motto is &quot;keep it in the family.&quot; They live in the Murderdale, on the edge of the forest of Peytaht, in a fortified estate called &quot;the Rookery&quot;. The estate is said to be impenetrable, and has had many Druj adorn its trees. Rookwood and Martel fought against the [[Freedom Heresy]], concerned about the threat posed by Montane. It was seen as a matter of pride to take arms in this matter.<br /> <br /> Rookwood and Martel joined as one house on the fateful night of the Battle of Sisters Causeway, whereby a wedding party, held by House Martel and guests, were ambushed by Druj. This wedding was an acknowledgement by Dawn of House Martel’s great import in fighting against the Freedom Heresy, and therefore the union was of politics as well as passion. However, all were slaughtered on that dread-filled gathering, including children. After this, Martel’s swore to never marry. Their heraldry also stands a reminder of this event, which strengthened union through blood. Nothing motivates this house more than securing the Barrens, avenging their forebears and covering themselves…in glory.<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=117702 2025-03-26T11:28:12Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialize in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments, so we have a small security team whose job it is to keep an eye on the site each night and assist event participants with any issues that may arise. The team consists of volunteer marshals and a small number of SIA-registered volunteers, and at present we are recruiting for both. The aim is to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off.<br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08:00 in the morning, with the long-term goal to provide service in shifts around the clock. Depending on how much sleep you need, you can get quite a lot of roleplaying as a character in the game, as long as you fit it in around your shifts and save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with the medical, conduct and participant welfare teams, in order to make sure that everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk, and dealing with other issues that may arise.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1am - 8.00am shifts, minimum of 2 shifts per event (we are on duty on Thurs, Fri and Sat nights)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site in any weather'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Event_crew&diff=117274 2025-03-15T12:32:22Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> The event crew handle the event logistics and support functions throughout the event, answering questions and helping players and even other crew get the most from the game. Most of the teams are based out of the GOD tent, which is the hub for all event administration. There are lots of different event crew roles, to cover the wide range of administrative, reffing and support tasks needed to keep the event running smoothly. Whether reffing the game, manning the god or pulling pints for players in the Anvil tavern, the event crew are a vital part of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the event crew is a full time role during the event for all the teams except weapon-check, but most of the teams are large enough to have organized rotas allowing crew to take some time off to enjoy the event. You don't need to have any experience to join the event crew, just a desire to support and help players enjoy the game to the full.<br /> <br /> ==Why Get Involved?==<br /> The event crew are the public face of Profound Decisions presenting Empire to everyone who attends our event. The god team organize and prepare everything the players need to play the game, while the refs answer questions and oversee the smooth running of the game. Even the crew working the tavern are representing us while the crew welfare team play the most vital role of all looking after our crew. It's a big responsibility, but as part of the event crew you'll be able to see first hand the appreciation that delivering a great game creates. <br /> <br /> Our event crew are not expected to handle complaints, you should immediately pass those to [[Profound Decisions management team]] to deal with. But you will get to solve problems and sort difficulties for players and have the satisfaction of knowing that you helped deliver the game.<br /> <br /> Most of the positions on the event crew are highly specialized so you'll need to learn what is involved over time. However there is room for anyone to join the team provided you have some experience of live roleplaying and you'll be working together with a team of crew who can show you the ropes. Most of the roles are not physically demanding though you will be up and active when you're crewing.<br /> <br /> You'll be working during the event, but the event crew teams are generally large enough that crew can take some hours off to enjoy each event with friends. Crewing is a lot of fun and you'll get a chance to meet and talk to most of the players. <br /> <br /> ==Teams==<br /> There are seven event crew teams covering a range of game functions, god, refs, tavern, weapon check, IT, and crew welfare. Most of the teams work independently of each other, although both god and refs work closely together in the GOD tent. Make sure you let us know which team you are interested in being part of if you want to join the event crew.<br /> <br /> ===God &amp; Gate===<br /> The Games Operation Desk (better known as GOD) provide a customer service desk to players and crew during time in. With close to 3500 players and 400+ crew needing to collect their player packs, before time in, it can get pretty busy! The team handle all the event administration for players, checking bookings, creating character packs for new bookings and being the first point of contact for any player who needs help.<br /> <br /> The Gate team is run by Jake Gilbert, they are responsible for welcoming you to the event, taking gate bookings and directing you on to the traffic management team who who will further direct you around site. The gate team have a rota which covers 12:00 on Thursday through to 22:00 on Friday night.<br /> <br /> ===Refs===<br /> The refs operate a desk in the GOD tent so that any player has a guaranteed point of contact. The desk is usually manned by Emma Woods (Head Ref), Kiwi or Tea Kew. Meanwhile the rest of the team wander the Anvil field looking for players who need help. We operate a wireless network across the site providing our refs with tablets so that they can access and update the game database from anywhere on site. There is always stuff to do, from simple things like helping players use magic items, to reffing plots or players carrying performing surgery, rituals, or even murders!<br /> <br /> Reffing Empire is a complex and skilled role and you will need to develop a good understanding of the rules to become a capable ref. However Emma or another senior referee is always on the radio throughout the event to provide constant support and answer any questions, so there is plenty of opportunity to learn on the job. Ultimately what you need to join the team is a careful and considered manner, a little courtesy, and a desire to learn about the game.<br /> <br /> ===Weapon Check===<br /> We have a large team of approved weapon checkers who are needed to check the weapons and equipment that players and traders bring to every event as well as the weapons in PD's own armoury. Mike &quot;Firepit&quot; Hilton is the head of the team, and the final authority for any weapon. Weapon checking is available throughout the event but most of the work happens before the event starts and before the big battles each day. The weapon check points can currently be found near the roadway at the bottom of the Highguard Camp. This means that event crew on this team are able to play the game with only minor disruption if they want to do that when they are not weapon checking rather than help out in other areas. Several members of the GOD team are also trained weapon checkers but please don't take your weapons here as a matter of course to be checked.<br /> <br /> Weapon checkers need to be observant and thorough so that they can identify unsafe weapons, but they also need to be courteous and polite so that they can explain the problems to players when their weapons fail. Some experience of live roleplaying is essential and any experience checking weapons in other systems will help. Each game has its own standards however, and Profound Decisions is no exception, so all new members of the team will be expected to spend some time with Mike or another senior member of the team to ensure that they check to the right standard for Empire.<br /> <br /> ===IT===<br /> We have a small IT team who set up and maintain our servers and site-wide wireless network each event. Other crew teams are responsible for setting up their own PCs on the network, but the IT team fix any problems that develop.<br /> <br /> Clive Evans is the team leader of the IT team. You need to be a competent technician with experience of the appropriate systems to be able to help the IT team with their work.<br /> <br /> ===Crew Welfare===<br /> We have a small crew welfare hut which is usually positioned near the monster tent and is kept supplied with food, drinks and snacks for the crew. Ensuring the hut is kept clean and well-stocked is one of the responsibilities of the crew welfare team who are based out of here during the event. It is the team's responsibility to look after the welfare of the 350 crew we have at most Empire events, providing help and support for any member of crew who needs it. Any member of crew who has a problem can go to the crew welfare team for help and advice.<br /> <br /> Lou Ardent is the team leader of the crew welfare team. You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people and helping them sort their problems.<br /> <br /> ===Tavern===<br /> We are lucky to have a large wooden tavern building for Empire and a team of dedicated crew to run it. Team members take money and serve drinks but all of them are in-character at all times, our tavern is an in-character environment that exists to support roleplaying in the game. We try to make sure we have enough crew so that they can work the bar in shifts allowing them to socialize and enjoy the event at other times. We try to arrange bards and performances as often as possible and encourage all the players to use the tavern for any entertainment or meetings they have planned. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the tavern team, it's an easy role even if you have never roleplayed before. Provided you enjoy working in a busy social environment then you are welcome on the team. Being part of the tavern crew puts you right at the heart of Anvil while the game is happening and gives you a chance to see the event and talk to the characters throughout as each event unfolds. Pip E Hall is the team leader of the tavern team.<br /> <br /> ==Time-off==<br /> Event crew are generally busy throughout the event, so it is not a role that you can easily combine with playing the game, unless you are part of the weapon-checking team. All crew are able to take a few hours off during the event, so you will have a chance to socialize with friends at the event.<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Online&diff=116296 2024-12-29T14:31:06Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>{{CaptionedImage|file=MirandaBrennan.jpg|align=left|caption=Head of Online Moderation: Miranda Brennan}}<br /> ==Overview==<br /> Empire has a large and active social media presence. Our main Empire LRP Facebook group alone has over 8,000 members. We also have dedicated forums as well as accounts on Instagram and Twitch. Having an enthusiastic and engaged player base is important to us and we love seeing everyone discussing the game and enjoying the world of Empire. We welcome debate and constructive discussion in all these places, but any feedback should always be sent to [mailto:feedback@profounddecisions.co.uk feedback@profounddecisions.co.uk ] so that the game team can consider it properly.<br /> <br /> The [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empirelrp/ Empire LRP Facebook group] is for general Empire related chat and queries. We also have nation-specific groups where people can discuss national festivals, collective projects, the national briefs, and the best places to source kit. Camp planning is also announced in these groups. Our national groups are a great community both on and off the field and we encourage people to get involved and to go see what’s being discussed. We also have a [https://www.facebook.com/groups/playersupport/ Player Support Group] which might be a good starting point if you are new to Empire or to live roleplaying in general. The [https://forums.profounddecisions.co.uk/ Empire LRP forums] have separate boards for all these things, and a few additional ones.<br /> <br /> Unfortunately, the nature of the internet is that it removes the element of personal interaction and can exacerbate differences of opinion. If we are not careful this turns discussions into hot-tempered arguments in a way that is detrimental to the debate and the community. For this reason we’ve chosen to implement a set of rules for everyone who uses our official groups and have a large team of crew moderators who can respond to any breaches that occur that are reported to them using the platform’s inbuilt tools or by emailing [mailto:mods@profounddecisions.co.uk mods@profounddecisions.co.uk].<br /> <br /> Counting players and crew, Empire has nearly three thousand participants at each event; it's not realistic to expect anyone to like every other participant. What we require is that people treat each other with respect regardless of their personal feelings. Our rules are designed to give our team a basis for judging when that is not happening and to take action accordingly. All the applicable rules for [[conduct]] at events also apply when making posts on any official Profound Decisions forum or Facebook group. In particular please make sure that you have read and understand the rules for [[Conduct#Language|language]] and [[Conduct#Equality_and_Diversity|equality and diversity]].<br /> <br /> We ask that the community support our aim to keep the game live and familiarise themselves with the rules governing [[Downtime#Roleplaying_Between_Events|roleplaying between events]]. Remember, every in-character communication you have between events is one that cannot be had face to face.<br /> <br /> ==Moderators==<br /> We have a team of crew who moderate our social spaces, led by our head of online moderation, Miranda Brennan. The team work collaboratively, discussing cases and coming to an agreed response to get the most consistent and fairest outcomes possible when exercising judgement. When a post/comment is reported, the moderators will review it and if necessary discuss together or escalate to the Head of Moderation. Moderation decisions and evidence are stored centrally in case we need to refer to them in future.<br /> <br /> ===How to report===<br /> Given the scale of the internet, we can’t keep track of every comment and subthread on our official social media. We therefore ask our users to be aware of the posting rules and if they see a breach, to report it by either:<br /> <br /> * Using the reporting tools available on that platform<br /> * Emailing [mailto:mods@profounddecisions.co.uk mods@profounddecisions.co.uk] and linking to the post/comment you wish to report.<br /> <br /> ===What happens when a post is reported?===<br /> If a post/comment is reported and the moderation team decides that it breaks our posting rules, we may delete the post. If we do this, a moderator will endeavour to contact the poster to explain why. If the poster disagrees with the action taken, they can contact the [mailto:mods@profounddecisions.co.uk head moderator]. If the matter is not resolved to their satisfaction after this point, the matter can be escalated to [mailto:matt@profounddecisions.co.uk matt@profounddecisions.co.uk]. It is not appropriate to discuss individual moderation discussions on our social media and posts doing this will be deleted.<br /> <br /> Depending on the situation we may warn people who have broken the rules, suspend them from our social media spaces either short or long term, or ban them permanently at our discretion. This includes potentially being excluded from the events themselves. We take our rules for online conduct very seriously; we do not make an absolute distinction between behaviour online and at events.<br /> <br /> For some breaches of the posting rules, the moderation team may contact the poster privately and give them the opportunity to edit their post in order to make it comply with the rules. <br /> <br /> If a contentious post is resulting in some heated debate, we may lock the post from further comments whilst we review it. This is particularly likely if we’re short on moderation cover at that time as our moderation team are all volunteers. If a post has dissolved entirely into unconstructive argument, we will delete the post in its entirety and either explain why privately to the poster or add a post to the group in which it was posted.<br /> <br /> ===Contesting a Decision===<br /> It is important to appreciate that moderation is not personal. Some of our rules are technical in nature - and people often have posts moderated or removed not because there was anything wrong with the content or the way they posted it but simply because they don't meet the strict guidelines we set for relevance to Empire. Everyone gets moderated from time-to-time, players and crew, so that we can keep our forums welcoming and full of relevant content. ''Being moderated is not a criticism of you or your post.''<br /> <br /> Although you may be contacted by a moderator to inform you that a post has been moderated, please bear in mind that moderation decisions are taken collectively by the team, not by any one individual. You're welcome to discuss the matter with the moderator who is there to try and help ensure you understand why the decision was taken, but if you need to contact the moderation team to discuss a new issue, please use the appropriate methods to contact the whole team, rather than emailing or messaging an individual moderator. All of our crew are volunteers so they don't always have time to allocate to support you; this is why we have a team of people in place to deal with any issues. Please respect the system we have put in place and contact the team if you need to discuss something.<br /> <br /> If you are not happy with a moderator decision then you are welcome to discuss that with us privately. Mistakes do get made and we are happy to look at any decision that has been taken and apologize if we have made a mistake and correct it where we can. If we stand by the decision after reviewing it, then we'll try to explain in more detail why we came to that conclusion so that you can better understand how the rules are being applied.<br /> <br /> Please do not contest decisions in public - that is against our rules - and do not argue with our moderators or become hostile with one of them. They are members of our crew, and should be treated with the same courtesy and respect that you should show a referee at an event. All our crew volunteer their time to work hard on your behalf to provide a great game so we require everyone who attends our events to treat them with appropriate regard. There are no Empire events without our crew and we take their wellbeing very seriously.<br /> <br /> Please [mailto:mods@profounddecisions.co.uk email mods@profounddecisions.co.uk] if you need to contact the moderation team to discuss any issue. Private messages are not a good mechanism for contacting the team as they go to individuals who may not see them for several days or at all in some cases depending on the platform settings. <br /> <br /> ==Posting Rules==<br /> * '''Treat each other with respect and assume best faith'''<br /> * '''All posts should clearly relate to Empire'''<br /> * '''Use the most appropriate forum or Facebook group'''<br /> * '''Don't repost the same post or content more than once a month'''<br /> * '''Report any breach of the rules to our moderators rather than responding yourself'''<br /> * '''Don't start in-character conversations or post anything that is contentious in-character'''<br /> * '''IC announcements, sales, adverts and letters are permitted'''<br /> * '''You may cross-post winds of war and winds of fortune'''<br /> * '''You may not post instructions or advice on military units'''<br /> * '''No charity and fundraising posts'''<br /> * '''Post links to photographs, don't repost them'''<br /> * '''Do not post fanfiction'''<br /> * '''Do not post generative-AI content'''<br /> * '''Do not criticise other participants for their costume, roleplaying, or interpretation of the setting'''<br /> * '''Do not discuss moderation decisions'''<br /> * '''Do not post accusations of cheating or unsafe fighting'''<br /> * '''Don't do stupid shit'''<br /> * '''Streaming'''<br /> * '''Smut'''<br /> <br /> In particular, please note all the applicable rules for [[conduct]] also apply when making posts on any official Profound Decisions forum or Facebook group. In particular please make sure that you have read and understand the rules for [[Conduct#Language|language]] and [[Conduct#Equality_and_Diversity|equality and diversity]]. <br /> <br /> ===Treat each other with respect and assume best faith===<br /> We are proud that Empire players come from a diverse range of backgrounds and traditions of LRP. With well over 3000 players and crew, differences of opinions will occur and discussion of these is no bad thing, but needs to be handled carefully. Please respect people’s opinions, treat other participants as adults, and assume good faith. It’s easy to mistake someone’s intent over the internet and you may need to work a little harder to make yourself understood or be more patient when trying to explain something. Avoid making jokes about contentious subjects where the possibility exists to miss the humour and be offended as a result.<br /> <br /> Don't harass other users, don't post anything that constitutes a personal attack and avoid forms of speech that could be interpreted as bullying or abusive. Treat people the way you would want to be treated. We will not tolerate any post that our moderators feel constitutes a personal attack on another live roleplayer - regardless of whether or not they use our official online forums/groups or are a regular attendee at our events. Avoid posting while angry; if you are disagreeing with participant then ensure that you remain polite and avoid [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ad_hominem ad hominem] responses.<br /> <br /> If you feel anything posted on our official forums or Facebook groups violates our rule prohibiting personal attacks then please report it to our moderators, do not respond in kind.<br /> <br /> ===All Posts Should Clearly Relate to Empire===<br /> Please keep your posts on topic. Our forums and groups are for Empire, so if the discussion strays too far away the subject of Empire we will ask you to take it elsewhere. If the link to Empire is tenuous or would be unclear to a casual reader, our moderators may advise you that this would be more appropriate on your own wall or ask you to elaborate on the original post as to its relevance.<br /> <br /> ===Use the Most Appropriate Forum or Group===<br /> Please ensure that your posts are in the most appropriate area. Do not duplicate the same or similar posts across multiple different forums or different groups. If your post is a bit more general but one nation may still have a special interest then ''at most'' you should post in the main Empire group and the single most relevant nation group. An example of this would be a Dawnish hosted player event, as Dawnish players may be especially interested, but other nations may also wish to attend. If multiple players all post the same or similar posts either in the same group or across multiple groups, the moderation team will remove the duplicate posts.<br /> <br /> Duplicating a post on Facebook and the Forum is permitted as many participants may only use one of these platforms.<br /> <br /> If you are a trader at our events then before each event, you may put a post into a single official nation group [[Forums &amp; Facebook|Facebook nation group]] of your choice and/or the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/998672144716261 Empire LRP Adverts and Promotions Facebook group] to advertise your services or products. If you are not a trader at our events then using the same rules, you may post once advertisement a year, provided that the products or services offered are relevant to Empire players.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=RougherMusic.jpg|align=right|width=350|caption=The Moderators are here to help you.}}<br /> <br /> ===Don't repost the same post or content more than once a month===<br /> You can repost content up to once a month, if it's relevant to Empire. If you want to promote IC services or similar or you are discussing OOC arrangements relevant to the game then it's fine to repost them periodically - provided it is not too frequent. Our moderators will take down repeated posts if less than a month has passed since the last time it was posted. It's fine to update a post, but deliberately posting to 'bump' a post back to the top of the group is not in the spirit of the rules.<br /> <br /> ===Report any Breach of the Rules to our Moderators===<br /> Each board has a couple of volunteer moderators and admins and we have a centralised place to discuss and document moderation decisions. Due to the high level of activity in our our official groups it is impossible for us to follow each and every interaction. Therefore, if you see someone infringing the posting rules, please help us by reporting this comment or post promptly rather than responding yourself. A moderator or admin will then respond as quickly as they’re able to. <br /> <br /> Please don't call out other participants for posts that you think breach our guidelines, report it, and let the moderators handle it. On Facebook select &quot;report to admin&quot; by clicking in the top right hand corner of a post. On the forum click &quot;...(show more)&quot; then the flag icon on any post.<br /> <br /> ===Don't Post IC Conversations or Contentious Statements===<br /> Please help us keep the game live and in the field as much as possible. Avoid starting in-character conversations about significant or controversial subjects so that discussion of important in-character issues can be kept for the live events. It is usually fine to post comments about events that have happened, provided that the posts are not contentious or likely to cause people to want to respond as their character. If you post something in-character that could be perceived as contentious on our official forums or groups, we’ll remove or edit this.<br /> <br /> Empire is a game for people to say and do contentious things as their character - but we want those actions and the reactions to them to happen in the field when people are roleplaying.<br /> <br /> ===Post Links to Photographs, Don't Repost Them===<br /> Profound Decisions are lucky enough to have a small team of volunteer photographers to document our events; there are also a number of players who take photographs in line with the [[photography|photography policy]]. These volunteers generously donate their time and energy to show our hobby in all its glory. To acknowledge their contribution you must link to the original photos rather than downloading them and re-uploading them on our forums.<br /> <br /> Each photographer will have their own policy on using photos elsewhere (such as for profile or cover pictures). If in doubt, please contact the original photographer.<br /> <br /> ===IC Announcements and Adverts===<br /> We believe that in-character announcements, such as those advertising a national event or offering an in-character service add more to the game for our players than they detract from it. However, as the game has grown over time, we have needed to create a separate space for certain kinds of IC advert, so that our main Empire LRP Facebook group does not become overloaded. <br /> <br /> It is fine to post an advert for a service offered by your character or group or for a meeting that you are arranging or similar, provided that you avoid posting anything that is contentious and only post it in the single most appropriate group. <br /> <br /> You can use the main Empire LRP Facebook group to advertise free-to-attend uptime IC events such as meetings and festivals. <br /> <br /> If you have an IC advert OR an OC advert for anything that costs IC or OC money, such as crafted goods your character is selling, you may use the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/empirelrppromo Adverts and Promotions Facebook group] group and/or the single more relevant Nation group. <br /> <br /> Here are some examples of adverts the above rule applies to: <br /> <br /> * IC items you are selling for money<br /> * IC raffles, gambling houses, or tourneys which are pay-to-enter<br /> * IC services such as poetry, fortune telling, or performance<br /> * Artwork commissions such as character portraits<br /> * IC snacks, meals, cafes and bars<br /> * IC publications, papers and books<br /> * IC auctions<br /> * an IC business dealing in resources of any kind in uptime eg an apothecary service <br /> <br /> All posts must follow the following rules: <br /> * '''Do not add additional comments''' - Do not say “You see this poster across the Empire&quot;. If you do this, you’re starting to narrate the reality of the world, which is not permitted.<br /> * '''Post at most once per month''' - Do not repost it more than once a month or deliberately bump your existing post to the top of a page.<br /> * '''Avoid starting contentious in-character discussions''' - if you are advertising a meeting about something contentious or controversial, keep your poster short and avoid detail that would make people want to respond as their character.<br /> * '''Don't spam multiple groups''' - do not post your advert across multiple groups beyond those permitted, ie. the single most relevant nation and either the Adverts group or the Main group, depending on what kind of advert you are posting.<br /> <br /> There are several guidelines that we ask participants to follow in terms of their ad content: <br /> <br /> * State your Price - Haggling or negotiation over prices must be left to the field.<br /> * Use the Hub in uptime too - There’s a message board in The Hub which citizens can use - if you post online, please endeavour to also advertise in-character. <br /> * Provide a plain text version - Beautiful posters and images are wonderful, but please endeavour to provide a copy of the text alongside your image.<br /> <br /> In-character letters should be sent privately - but you can use our social media to request contact details for individual characters you have met, or have a way of getting in touch with (eg specific Imperial title-holders, individual group leaders) to get in touch for separate IC letters. We ask people not to tag players of sought-after characters in order that they can decide for themselves whether they want to engage.<br /> <br /> Empire has an active economy and the costs of resources can be a powerful lever with which to influence the world. Therefore, discussion about the trading costs of resources, or statements about what things ''should'' cost are prohibited.<br /> <br /> ===Traders' Adverts===<br /> * '''Traders who pay for a pitch at Empire may post adverts up to once a month'''<br /> * '''Empire participants who operate as IC peddlers and sell goods in uptime may promote their [[#IC_Announcements_and_Adverts|IC goods and services]] up to once a month'''<br /> * '''LRP traders who don't have a pitch at Empire may post adverts once a year'''<br /> We are happy to allow traders to make occasional posts to the Empire Facebook groups, particularly if the post is drawing attention to goods that are appealing to Empire players. At the same time we are keen to prevent the groups from becoming overburdened with adverts, and want to ensure that they do not become too repetitive. To give everyone a fair set of guidelines to operate to - we have decided that traders or groups who have a trade pitch at Empire may post one advert per month if they choose. If a trader isn't one of the Empire traders then they may post up to one advert a year. Any adverts posted more frequently than that will be deleted by the moderators.<br /> <br /> A trader advert can be in the [https://www.facebook.com/groups/998672144716261 Empire LRP Adverts and Promotion] Facebook group and a single nation Facebook group provided it contains stock appropriate to that nation. Any advert posted across multiple nation groups will be removed.<br /> <br /> ===You May Cross-post the Winds===<br /> There is an exception to the normal rules on multi-forum posts for the official Profound Decisions event updates, the Winds of War, and the Winds of Fortune. It is fine to cross-post these updates to an Empire Facebook group or forum - but please only do that if you think it is relevant to that group and check to see if it has already been posted. There is no need to cross-post a Wind of Fortune update about trouble in Hahnmark to the Urizen group for example.<br /> <br /> However please make sure you do not include any comment about the content of the Wind in the cross-post. If you want to comment on the issue, you are welcome to do that below your own cross-post, but we ask that players avoid making any comment when making the actual cross-post - just to ensure that there is a clear distinction between what an individual player thinks and the contents of the Wind itself.<br /> <br /> ===You May Not Post Military Updates===<br /> Players are not permitted to post updates on the decisions of the Military Council, in particular on where the Council would like people to send their military units and fleets in downtime. This constitutes using an online forum to try and influence the choices being made by other characters, it is not compatible with the rules prohibiting the posting of contentious in-character material.<br /> <br /> While we have turned a blind eye to some of these posts in the past - the rules have now been tightened. When the game first started it was difficult for generals to communicate what their army was doing to players. However every player with a military unit or fleet can now see the precise wording of the order issued to each army or navy when they go to submit their downtime. There is no need to provide additional context to these orders.<br /> <br /> ===No Charity or Fundraising Posts===<br /> We have taken the decision not to allow any charity or fundraising posts on our groups except where they are intended to raise money for things to be used at Empire events or where they are posted by us on the main Empire LRP page. Whilst LRPers are an incredibly generous community, applying the posting rules and deciding on whether a particular fundraising post is “Empire related enough” is an impossible task for our moderator team. Having to assess each one will inevitably cause friction whenever a post is deleted because it is not sufficiently on topic for the Empire forums.<br /> <br /> Posts offering prizes must be compliant with the laws regulating such activities. We will remove any post if we are not confident that you are correctly licensed to engage in such activities.<br /> <br /> ===Do Not Post Fanfiction===<br /> We understand that lots of people love to read and write fanfic - and the Empire community is no exception. However there is a small risk that players may confuse fanfic with canonical updates to the campaign if the fiction is posted on one of the main Empire Facebook groups. For this reason there is a specific Facebook group called [https://www.facebook.com/groups/165082270686010/?fref=gc&amp;dti=470732939604433&amp;hc_location=ufi Empire LRP: Fiction Sharing] which was explicitly intended as a place for Empire players to share stories they have created. All fanfic stories should be posted here, not in one of the main Facebook groups.<br /> <br /> ===Do Not Post AI Content===<br /> [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Generative_artificial_intelligence Generative-AI content] [[Playing_the_game#Artificial_Intelligence_and_Recorded_Music|cannot be used at events]] - but we also ask participants not to post images, video, or text created using generative-AI to our forums or Facebook groups. These groups are very busy already and generative content adds little value. It is also ethically contentious and invariably leads to unproductive arguments about the use of AI, rather than positive discussions about Empire. This is not a conduct issue; players are welcome to post Empire content that is generated using AI to their own walls, we only prohibit its use at events and in the social media spaces we moderate.<br /> <br /> ===Do Not Criticise Other Participants===<br /> The Empire national briefs are designed to allow for a wide range of creative freedom whilst still maintaining that all-important, clearly identifiable, national identity. When offering support to other players in your nation please be aware that there are other interpretations of the brief which are different to your own but are still valid. Avoid telling other players that they are getting the brief wrong - and avoid presenting yourself as an authority on how the brief should be interpreted.<br /> <br /> It is fine to identify parts of the brief that are relevant and encourage people to embrace them. What is not permitted is for players to tell other players what is and is not acceptable in-character. If you have any concerns about the way a player is interpreting the brief then you should report the matter to Profound Decisions who can issue a definitive ruling on the matter.<br /> <br /> Likewise, our code of conduct asks all Empire participants to avoid [[Costume#Criticism|criticising other player's kit]]. You should assume that the player in question has followed our guidelines and made the best effort they can. Criticism of other players’ costume will be deleted.<br /> <br /> Crowd-sourcing answers about rules often ends up with a variety of responses and opinions on how the rules should be applied in that particular situation. The only definitive and official answers will come by emailing [mailto:rules@profounddecisions.co.uk rules@profounddecisions.co.uk].<br /> <br /> ===Do Not Accuse Other Players of Cheating or Unsafe Fighting===<br /> Do not make public accusations of cheating or of unsafe fighting at Empire on social media. If you have witnessed either of these happen at an event, please either speak to a ref as soon as you are able to after the incident or contact [mailto:rules@profounddecisions.co.uk rules@profounddecisions.co.uk] after an event to report it.<br /> <br /> ===Do Not Discuss Moderation Decisions===<br /> It is not constructive to discuss individual moderators or moderator decisions in public. We do however welcome discussion and debate of our posting rules and moderation policy provided the discussion remains civil, hypothetical and does not include references to individual examples. To discuss individual moderation decisions, please contact the Head of Moderation at [mailto:mods@profounddecisions.co.uk mods@profounddecisions.co.uk]; if not resolved to your satisfaction after this point, please contact [mailto:matt@profounddecisions.co.uk matt@profounddecisions.co.uk].<br /> <br /> ===Don't Do Stupid Shit===<br /> Don't post anything that's illegal, racist, sexist, homophobic, pornographic, abusive, or otherwise objectionable. This includes links to such material as well.<br /> <br /> ===Streaming===<br /> The [[Streaming|streaming]] rules are set out in full elsewhere. In summary:<br /> * You may make one post per month to promote your streamed content<br /> * You can edit that post if you want to update any information in it, but don't deliberately bump your own post back to the top<br /> <br /> ===Smut===<br /> <br /> Following the [[Rules update 2023]], you must be mindful of the requirement to avoid sexualising the environment in a way that makes other players uncomfortable. Lots of players enjoy smutty publications - and lots of players don't want anything to do with that in their LRP. We have updated our conduct rules on sexual activity at events to make clear that anyone who wants to engage in that kind of roleplaying must ensure that it is handled discreetly and in a way that doesn't force other players to be involved with it against their wishes. <br /> <br /> In particular that means you can't promote it on our Facebook groups, since that's incompatible with the need to handle it discreetly in a way that doesn't cause discomfort for other players. I've asked the moderators to take down posts promoting material that is smutty or explicit in the future.<br /> <br /> ==Hot Topics==<br /> The areas below are topics that almost invariably degenerate into arguments, or are simply not appropriate or acceptable topics of discussion for our forums or Facebook groups. Some of these issues are controversial and tend to produce a lot of acrimony when discussed online giving the false impression that these issues dominate our events. Some of these issues are simply not appropriate or acceptable and will be deleted by our moderators as soon as they become aware of them.<br /> <br /> Our moderators will closely monitor these &quot;hot topics&quot; and may pre-emptively delete any posts that they feel is highly likely to lead to an adversarial discussion of the issues.<br /> <br /> ===Politics, Religion, Artificial Intelligence, and Language===<br /> Politics and religion are incredibly important subjects and the crew and players of Empire cover a lot of different religions and a wide spectrum of political opinions. However, our online community exists so that participants can discuss the imaginary politics of the world of Empire and not real world politics.<br /> <br /> Discussions about inappropriate language, such as the use of gendered words, is a subject that we’ve learned from prior incidents rapidly degenerates into acrimony. We will allow positive discussion of ways that participants can embrace the gender-blind Empire setting and implement that in their roleplaying - but will delete anything that is negative, a personal attack or is based on criticism of other people's roleplaying or experiences.<br /> <br /> Using AI to generate images and text remains highly contentious. Players are free to disagree with each other but all posts [[#Treat_each_other_with_respect_and_assume_best_faith|must treat other posters with respect and assume good faith]]. We've asked our moderators to remove any posts about the use of AI which fall short of this. If it is clear that any post about AI is not going to produce an engaging, positive discussion, then our moderators will delete it.<br /> <br /> In using our social media, participants are also bound by any applicable conduct rules, including those around gendered language. If you are concerned by a poster’s use of inappropriate language, then please bring it to the attention of a moderator and they will contact the other participant and remind them of our rules relating to this.<br /> <br /> ===In-character Debates===<br /> Empire is ''not'' a system which employs &quot;FOIP&quot; - a requirement that you can only find things out in play at events. It is '''fine''' to ask simple in-character questions, things you think your character should know or any questions about the system. If the information you have asked for is not controversial in-character then other participants are free to give you the answer to your question or to encourage you to find their character at an event and seek out the information in-character.<br /> <br /> However as per the posting rules we prohibit discussion online of important or controversial issues. These issues form part of the plot of our event and we ask everyone to respect that.<br /> <br /> There are specific rules for [[Downtime#Roleplaying_Between_Events|roleplaying between events]]. Anything that breaches these rules - any post that contains trade negotiations, religious debates, military planning, magical discourse, or political discussions and appointments will be removed.<br /> <br /> ===Criticism of Empire and other LRP Systems===<br /> Live roleplaying is an amazing community that is at its best when participants share original ideas and best practices between different systems. So it's fine to make a post calling out a positive example of something other games do well - or do better than Empire does - that gives us a basis for discussing ways to make Empire a better game. But please bear in mind when posting, that Empire is such a large system that we will have participants who love the game you are referencing as well as participants who tried it and did not enjoy it.<br /> <br /> What is not permitted is ''anything'' that is critical or dismissive of other LRP systems. Most LRP systems have their own forums or Facebook groups for their players to post comments about their games - posts that are about other games should be posted on their Facebook page, ''not on our forum/groups''.<br /> <br /> It is fine to use our Facebook groups and our forums to criticize Empire or Profound Decisions and we encourage people to post ideas for improvements to the game. Bear in mind that all LRP games are produced by the combined efforts of a team of volunteers who are passionately invested in the game they create. Criticism directed at named individuals will be treated as a personal attack and moderated accordingly and our rules requiring [[Feedback#Worst_Way|civility]] towards our volunteers apply on our forums and Facebook groups as well as at events.<br /> <br /> We believe a good LRP stands on its merits, and benefits from analysis, critique, and discussion. We ask all participants to be mindful of the fact that just because you have not experienced a problem does not mean the problem does not exist. Our moderators will remove posts if they judge that their only contribution is to suppress criticism or silence debate about Empire.<br /> <br /> Facebook is an excellent place to discuss Empire with other participants who use Facebook - it is not ideal for providing [[feedback]] to Profound Decisions. There is no guarantee that the people who can act on the basis of your feedback will even see it. We treat posts on Facebook as the basis for discussion between participants - the [[feedback|wiki page on providing feedback]] discusses the best ways to send actual feedback to the team.<br /> <br /> ==Unofficial PD groups==<br /> There are a large number of unofficial Empire groups which people use for discussing issues and organising logistics, amongst other things. As these groups are not official, they are not moderated by us and they are not automatically covered by our rules on posting. However all our players are expected to observe the social contract and commitment to keeping the game live that prohibits online negotiations and discussion of controversial subjects. <br /> <br /> Although these online Empire community spaces are not moderated by us nor covered by our rules, players who are use them are still bound by our rules on conduct and our equality and diversity policies that forbid harassment etc. Reported breaches of these rules in communal Empire spaces may result in action being taken by Profound Decisions. If you are experiencing online harassment by another Empire participant then we will take appropriate action if you report the matter to us.<br /> <br /> {{Conduct_Further_Reading}}</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=116175 2024-11-25T13:14:39Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialize in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments so we work with a small SIA registered security team. We supplement that team with volunteer marshals who work alongside security and help them keep a watchful eye on the site each night. We have spaces for both SIA registered security and volunteer marshals at present, in order to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off. <br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08.30 in the morning. Depending on your need for sleep, you can get quite a lot of play as a character in the game fitted in around your shifts, though you do need to make sure you save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with first aid, and with the conduct team and participant welfare, in order to make sure everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk and dealing with other issues as they arrive.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1 am - 8.30 am shifts on security, either 2 (when we have enough cover) or 3 nights per event (Thurs, Fri, Sat)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site as part of that shift'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ( see new advert below) ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member 2024 ==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> Your main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Current_crewing_opportunities&diff=116144 2024-11-18T13:46:01Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>==Overview==<br /> Crewing can be an amazing experience - but it's not for everyone - and in particular, we have to make sure we have the right people who can work together and gel as a team. We're always keen to talk to anyone who is interested in crewing so that they can find out if it's something they want to do and we can see if there is a place for them on the team. So if you're interested in one of the roles below, do get in touch with our game director [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk Clare Evans] - we'll give you a quick interview and see if we can offer you a place on the team.<br /> <br /> '''All our crewing roles are for volunteers - but you won't need a ticket, we'll feed you throughout the event, and there is a big crew party on the last day for everyone who is helping take the event down'''. Ultimately the real benefit of crewing is that you'll be part of an amazing team of people and can take pride in your role in creating the Empire events that players love. You'll be part of the biggest LRP event crew in the country (there are over 400 of us!), working with incredibly talented people, and hopefully having an amazing time.<br /> <br /> The crew roles described below are specific areas that we are actively looking to fill at this time, so if they sound interesting then it's definitely worth [mailto:crew@profounddecisions.co.uk contacting us] to discuss it. If you're interested in helping with something that isn't listed below then it may still be worth getting in touch, but bear in mind that we may already have enough people helping out in that area.<br /> <br /> ==NPC==<br /> The NPCs are there to bring the Empire setting to life and try to make each event as dramatic and engaging as possible. To do that - we need good NPCs that are capable of playing a multitude of different parts throughout a weekend. This isn’t ‘easier’ than playing - it's much harder! We need you to have a solid grasp of ''all'' the nations of the Empire, and you’ll be working with detailed briefs that may involve magic, finance, diplomacy and foreign nations. It really helps to be an experienced roleplayer and is vital that you're familiar with the setting.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, and while we ask that you help with the takedown of the monster tent before leaving, this usually only takes an hour or so after time out, so being an NPC is a great role for anyone who wants to be right in the heart of the game but cannot get to the event early or stay late.<br /> <br /> All our plot crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will get a chance to take a few hours off each event to get out and socialize in-character if you want to, but you can't be an NPC and play the game. We also operate a permanent crew system, so while you're welcome to resume playing in the future if you want to, but you can't switch back and forth being playing and NPCing from one event to the next.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Plotredhat.jpg|caption=Plot Tent Set-up|align=right|width=300}}<br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''As an NPC, plenty of it, but as a player, you might only get a couple of hours over the whole weekend, if there’s time. We do try and allow for people to go and socialise, but your main focus should be on your NPC roles.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be available from Friday afternoon – pre-event briefing is at 4pm'''<br /> * '''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> * '''Have a solid knowledge of the Imperial Nations, and preferably the magic and economy systems'''<br /> * '''Be up for cycling through a variety of roles over the weekend, on your own and as part of groups'''<br /> <br /> ==Referees==<br /> We are recruiting for our referee team. The Empire referees are one of the most visible and essential parts of the game, covering everything from battle field safety to bonding items, via rituals, poisonings and all sorts of shenanigans on the way.<br /> <br /> Very roughly there are two types of referee role, you can both both, mostly one and dabble in the other or just one! The Field covers Anvil and Skirmish covers battles, skirmishes, encounters and most combat.<br /> <br /> All referees are armed with a PD supplied tablet to look up rules for clarification and log player actions. You will also have a radio and ear-piece so you can communicate with the rest of the team. Back up and support is always on hand.<br /> <br /> No one is ever thrown in without training and support, for your first event you will be teamed up with another member of the team who help you learn and make sure your confident and secure in the role.<br /> <br /> On the Field you will be responding to player needs. This could be based in the Regio or the Ref Access Tent in the Dawn/Wintermark field or roving free range around Anvil as needed. The referees on the field are answering player queries, processing bindings, rituals and things that need data base queries. The tablet walks you through the process, you just need to enter the correct numbers! You get an opportunity to see all sides of the players games and know all the exciting and sneaky things going on!<br /> <br /> On Skirmish you will become an expert in managing combat safety and applying the combat rules. This is a physical job, you will need to travel between God, Monster, the skirmish woods and field on a regular basis covering all the terrain in between and keeping up with player movements. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''• You will be unlikely to play a character but opportunities to take on small roles in other departments can be arranged, e.g. plot writing, monstering, field NPCing with the Civil Service.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''You will be one of the main faces of the game and a lot of the work is customer service based. Being polite, approachable and knowing when to escalate is essential.'''<br /> * '''We would love you to have either experience as an Empire player OR experience of reffing other systems.'''<br /> * '''We would need you to learn the core Empire rules around commonly used items and actions before your first event'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece at all times and using a tablet to record entries in a database'''<br /> * '''Being a referee can involve walking long distances as you cover the space of Anvil and will often be moving between player camps and God. There are places for referees with more static roles in the team with the Regio, Ref Access Tent and God bases.'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Friday at 3 pm until the end of the event at 3 pm on Sunday afternoon'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Synod Civil Service (Tribune)==<br /> The Civil Servants who support the Synod game are called the Tribune of the Synod, and it's their job to answer questions, accept new Judgements, advise players, and take their votes. We pride ourselves on having in-character Civil Servants who are a living, breathing part of the game world, and having a strong sense of camaraderie.<br /> <br /> Primarily, you'd be helping player characters achieve their goals and ambitions by taking away the complicated bits of bureaucracy, enabling drama, intrigue and other gameplay. Frequently, this involves helping outside of the Synod as well - advising players on where to go, what options they have available, or who they might want to talk to.<br /> <br /> Out of character experience with admin isn't necessary, but you'd need to be comfortable with helping out with the paperwork for much of the event, checking to make sure players have filled out Judgements correctly and recording their votes accurately. You'll be working alongside other experienced Civil Servants who will happily share their expertise and guide you through this.<br /> <br /> You only need to be on site shortly before the event starts, but after that you'll be quite busy - Synod opens at time-in and apart from some small breaks, it closes at 10pm.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> '''You'll be in your Field NPC role for most, if not all of the event, directly interacting with player characters as an immersive, in-character functionary. Although that'll be your main focus, you'll also get breaks to rest and relax, and freedom to head off and roleplay once Synod closes for the evening - though you won't be playing the game like a player would.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Excellent customer service skills'''<br /> *'''Be available from 6pm Friday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Saturday to 10pm in the evening'''<br /> *'''Be available from 10am Sunday to 3pm in the afternoon'''<br /> *'''Ideally have a good knowledge of the game world, such as the Imperial Nations (but you'll learn Synod-specific processes on the job)'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare team member==<br /> We’re looking for someone to help out in crew welfare.<br /> <br /> You're main role will be to help out generally in crew welfare making sure the crew is fed and looked after. Expect some sweeping, mopping, wiping down of surfaces and occasional evicting of spiders/wasps. Help Check stock expiry dates and setting out the hut in a manner that makes everything easy to find. Help redistribute booker stock. Preparing and putting out a lunch buffet and keeping it stocked up. Giving a tour where needed and pointing out where certain things are. This does require a little bit of heavy lifting, e.g. 6 x 2 litre bottles of pop. <br /> <br /> You don't need any experience to join the crew welfare team, you just need to enjoy talking to people. The hut is a very small area and can get quite busy at times, so volunteers with small children will need to find an area away from the hut to keep them occupied due to health and safety concerns.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''As a member of crew welfare there will be plenty of opportunity to see the game. We are able to rotate with the rest of the crew members to play the game and plan around any particular in game events you want to attend.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be on-site from early Friday morning until Sunday morning, if you can be on-site Wednesday or Thursday, even better'''<br /> *'''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Security==<br /> Live roleplaying events are generally relaxed and friendly environments so we work with a small SIA registered security team. We supplement that team with volunteer marshals who work alongside security and help them keep a watchful eye on the site each night. We have spaces for both SIA registered security and volunteer marshals at present, in order to cover all our night shifts well and make it possible for each team member to have one night off. <br /> <br /> The team covers Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights from 01:00 to 08.30 in the morning. Depending on your need for sleep, you can get quite a lot of play as a character in the game fitted in around your shifts, though you do need to make sure you save enough energy to do the job well. The team work closely with first aid, and with the conduct team and participant welfare, in order to make sure everyone stays safe whilst enjoying the event. In bad weather conditions, they are also responsible for securing tent structures that are at risk and dealing with other issues as they arrive.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Whilst getting enough sleep to cover your shifts is a priority, you may spend time between shifts playing a character and enjoying the event&quot;<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be able to work 1 am - 8.30 am shifts on security, either 2 (when we have enough cover) or 3 nights per event (Thurs, Fri, Sat)'''<br /> * '''Be able to walk around the site as part of that shift'''<br /> * '''Be sober for your shift in order to be a fully responsible team member'''<br /> * '''Be able to do physical tasks such as assisting carrying a person'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Costume==<br /> The Costume team works closely with the NPC team to ensure they are maintaining the consistency of kit briefs entering the player field. During events the costume team manage the setup and take down of wardrobe, keep the kit rails tidy, accessible &amp; organised. They are also in charge of creating, acquiring and repairing kit, typically during the downtime between events. This would be an ideal role for someone who makes costume for Empire already and has experience playing the game.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the costume department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the costume briefs for each nation'''<br /> *'''We would prefer that you have experience of the Empire Game World'''<br /> <br /> ==Props==<br /> The Props department is responsible for organising and maintaining PD's props and assisting with prop requests from the running plots of each event. Our props are sorted into numbered &amp; labelled storage crates which many of the plot &amp; plot production crew members will access throughout each event. Once the plot is finished the props team will return everything back into its boxy home.<br /> <br /> Between events &amp; occasionally during events specific prop requests will come in, and whilst it’s not the sole responsibility of the props department to facilitate these requests the role would suit someone with crafting skills.<br /> There are also ongoing efforts to create a searchable photo database, with photos being taken at each event during any downtime.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''Plot Production crew are very busy throughout every event. This means that it is impossible to play an event and be a member of the plot crew. You will still get a chance to take some time off and socialise with friends, most likely towards the end of each day once the last remaining plots are run out.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> *'''Be available from Thursday afternoon to help setup the props department'''<br /> *'''Be available for an hour after time out for take down and packing'''<br /> *'''Comfortable with lifting &amp; shifting some relatively heavy storage crates'''<br /> *'''Have a good understanding of the visual briefs of each nation'''<br /> <br /> {{Crewing Links}}<br /> &lt;!--<br /> DONT DELETE THESE BLOCKS - JUST MOVE THEM IN OR OUT OF THE COMMENT AREA - MP.<br /> <br /> ==Traffic Team==<br /> The traffic team are responsible for directing traffic round site, showing them where to go, how to get there, and helping people find a suitable spot to pitch and camp as well as looking to ensure that people are driving responsibly. You'll work closely with the gate team who are the first members of crew to meet people when they arrive on site, but you'll also need to be available to help for a few hours Saturday or Sunday morning as we have increasing numbers of players arriving by car then.<br /> <br /> The work is long hours on your feet, and involves a lot of walking, but provided you're comfortable with that then you'll be fine. There are plenty of opportunities to socialise and chat with players when they are arriving - we want our traffic team to be friendly and approachable. <br /> <br /> You'll need to help for a few hours on Friday after the game has started at some events, but once everything is well underway then you'll be free to play for most of the event. You will be busy again at time-out - as we need lots of traffic team to handle the vehicles moving around site then.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You should be able to play for most of the event, but you will miss a few hours on Friday evening and we will need you for a shift on either Saturday or Sunday morning'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and until Sunday evening'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to walk long distances in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in a little late on Friday and finish playing a little early on Sunday when necessary to get the job done'''<br /> * '''Be polite when directing players around site'''<br /> <br /> ==Makeup==<br /> We're looking for more people to join our make-up team in the plot production department. The team are based in the monster tent and are essential for any roles that require make-up or prosthetics. These include orcs and characters with lineage, but they also include eternals and their heralds. The team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance of the event so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after the battles.<br /> <br /> The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots, but most of the work takes place during time-in of the event.<br /> <br /> We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after Time out on Sunday. You'll be liaising with the rest of the make-up team to ensure we have appropriate cover during the event. While you may have some time on the field in character this role is not suitable for someone wishing to play the event. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to producing good quality make-up and prosthetics to a tight time schedule'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit into an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Gate Crew==<br /> The gate crew are responsible for welcoming players to the site, checking bookings, and taking payments for the gate bookings as well as the early arrivals on Thursday. You're the first member of PD that most players will encounter when they get to site, often after a long drive, so it's important to be cheerful and friendly. <br /> <br /> Being part of the gate crew means crewing from around noon on Thursday to Late Friday. Once your shift on Friday is complete you are then free to play the rest of the event.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''As gate crew you will be working for almost all of Thursday and Friday through to the evening. This will leave most the rest of the weekend to play a character.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Be on site by Thursday lunchtime'''<br /> * '''Be personable and enjoy welcoming players to the site'''<br /> * '''Be confident handling money and have strong numeracy skills'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to work in all weathers'''<br /> * '''Be prepared to time in late on Friday.'''<br /> <br /> <br /> ==Encounter Tents==<br /> Our encounter tent specialists are technical and design wizards who work magic with sets to help us prepare and run the encounters that take place off Anvil in tents. If you’ve got skills rusting away because you studied theatre design but never worked in it, or you help build am-dram sets, or you love realising or improving other people’s visions this role might be for you.<br /> <br /> We're looking for two more people to join our encounter tent team in plot production. Our team are responsible for designing sets and building and running scenes in the encounter tents. They work closely with the plot team and there is a lot of crossover with the other teams in plot production. We need volunteers from an hour before time in on Friday up until an hour after time out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> This really is a role for someone who is looking to expand their volunteering in LRP because they love the hobby. You will be able to arrange for a few hours to relax if you want to (or take on a short NPC role or two), but you will be a member of the [[plot crew]] which means you'll be busy working throughout most of the event so you won’t be able to play a political character, and engage with the wider plot of the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the plot production team for the encounter tents means that you'll have a chance to experience a part of LRP design that doesn’t happen in many places - the short immersive experience encounter set up, with props, costume and set dressing to support it. It's challenging work but you'll get to create some amazing experiences for players and see the reactions they create.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be unlikely to play a character other than the occasional NPC, but may enjoy the event facilities around the responsibilities of your volunteering role'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Crew throughout the event rather than playing'''<br /> * '''Cope with some lifting and shifting of objects throughout the weekend'''<br /> * '''Bring enthusiasm and energy to creative encounter tent set design in a fairly high-stress environment'''<br /> * '''Be ready to fit in to an existing team and learn from their experiences'''<br /> * '''Be willing to consider some skype planning calls between events, if you enjoy the experience and become a long term member of the team'''<br /> <br /> Crucially, you need to be confident that you will get more fun out of this backstage experience than your roleplaying experience is currently giving you. You will be joining the plot production department as a full-time member of the team so balancing both will '''not''' be possible.<br /> <br /> ==Hygiene Team==<br /> Even if you've never met one of us, you have certainly benefited from the hard work of the hygiene team, aka the brown caps.<br /> <br /> As the game has grown so has the number of toilet facilities provided for the field and so we are looking for a few new people. Despite what you may think, this position does not require a cast-iron stomach and no sense of smell beyond what you'd need to just use the toilets. All that we require are people to work as part of existing teams, to check the toilets around 6 times a day to make sure they are stocked on consumables and the bins are changed, with one clean out each day.<br /> <br /> If you are willing to take a plunger in hand to fix a clog that's a bonus, but certainly not required. This is a great role for someone who wants to provide a vital service but does not have the free time for early arrival or physicality required for standard red cap duties.<br /> <br /> And don't believe the line, we are anything but &quot;Unsung heroes&quot;.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''Although as site crew you are on-call for a lot of the event in case of emergency, you can also play a character and take a full part in the game around your shifts before and after the game'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Working as a team to make sure enough restocking is done.'''<br /> * '''Either an earlier start or a later finish for first and last thing restock'''<br /> * '''Flexibility and being able to work suitable timings with your teammates for the above two points'''.<br /> * '''Good timekeeping, missing a restock can have knock-on effects that cause problems for everyone''<br /> * '''Diligence, rushed cleaning means more work for other people after the event'''<br /> * '''Being able to walk a long distance with a light load, your assigned block might require some walking to reach.'''<br /> <br /> If we get lots of enquiries we will give preference to people who are planning to attend all 3 remaining events this year as that helps us build a solid team.<br /> <br /> ==Crew Welfare ==<br /> The crew welfare team are responsible for making sure the crew are fed and looked after. This includes preparing food; cleaning the crew hut; organising the food and drink in the hut and tent; greeting and taking in the Morrison's order; checking with other departments to see if they need any supplies getting; and leaving the site to restock supplies. They work closely with participant welfare to make sure they have what they need and try to ensure that people remember to eat, hydrate and put on sunscreen. Then at the end of the event they clean everything down and pack it all away ready for the next one.<br /> <br /> The teamwork Thursday and Friday to set up the welfare areas so that they just need minor maintenance during the event. While the event is running there is the opportunity to play a character and join in with the game.<br /> <br /> Being part of the team means being able to work hard sometimes. There can be a lot of medium to heavy lifting involved (if you can lift a 6 pack of 2-litre bottles you'll be fine). You'll also need endless levels of patience and some common sense as it can sometimes be like being a parent.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> *'''You will be able to play a character and take part in the game around your shifts.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Enjoy preparing food and working with the other crew you are supporting'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''Be on-site on Thursday morning and again on Sunday afternoon (or longer if possible)'''<br /> * '''Be comfortable wearing a radio and earpiece when required'''<br /> * '''A standard driving license is desirable but not necessary'''<br /> <br /> ==Skirmish Team==<br /> We need more people to join our [[Plot_crew#Skirmish|skirmish team - The Hundred]] - to bolster our numbers and help in delivering combat encounters at events. The Skirmish Team runs in two main groups to deliver large military engagements and smaller plot-heavy encounters for players. As the game has grown the need for more orcs, heralds, undead, and unusual monsters has increased. To continue improving on our current encounters we need a larger team to muster for skirmishes and deliver combat encounters so more players can participate and have fun fighting for the Empire!<br /> <br /> The majority of the time we play barbarian orcs from the tribes that surround the Empire, but also portray magical heralds, fearsome creatures, shambling undead, the monstrous Vallorn, and unassuming human citizens with nothing to hide... It can be an exhausting experience but as a team we look after each other and make sure we don’t push ourselves too far. We stop work each evening by 10 pm, then run through a briefing for the battle the next day. After this is done there is time to rest and relax with the rest of the team, head in character to enjoy Anvil, or take on a volunteer role in late-night low-combat encounters. With a larger team, we will be able to support larger military encounters and additional slots for our Plot Team to deliver a whole host of plots in the skirmish areas, encounter tents and in Anvil itself.<br /> <br /> Ideally, we are looking for people who already have experience playing or crewing LRP, both at large fests and smaller events. Experience of Empire LRP is not essential but will help make it easier to understand the encounters you are part of, and what we are trying to achieve. Being a competent fighter is useful, as is being able to lead others, but these are not essential; being able to roleplay is however an essential thing we need!<br /> <br /> The extra cool bits: &quot;You get to play the varied threats faced by the players; access to the Empire arsenal of weapons and armour for monstering with; support from the rest of the team on creating cool orc costumes and kit; training in how to safely fight and engage the players of the game in combat!&quot;<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''You will be involved in encounters during most of your event, but will have plenty of breaks for rest and food. There is a chance to play your own character after battle brief is done each evening.<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''This role involves considerable physical exertion, involvement in LRP combat, and frequent running'''<br /> * '''This role includes frequent changes of kit, armour, and makeup'''<br /> * '''This role requires wearing latex masks for extended periods of time'''<br /> * '''You need to understand and follow the Empire LRP rules, especially those relating to combat and conduct'''<br /> * '''You will work with team leaders our Battle Team, Referee Team and Plot Writers to deliver exceptional encounters'''<br /> * '''You will assist with set-up and take-down of team kit and the battlefield areas before and after the event'''<br /> * '''Where possible you should commit to crewing for an extended period of time (four events); it is not possible to alternate between playing and crewing as part of the Skirmish Team'''<br /> <br /> ==Magistrates==<br /> * Imperial character that conducts trials <br /> * Engage players in the legal process<br /> * Try to keep conflict between players political<br /> The magistrates are official Imperial characters who operate the legal system, conducting trials and overseeing the application of the law. Their role is to involve players in the legal process as thief-takers, detectives and militia etc. The point of the magistrates is to do everything in-character, to make murder as difficult to get away with as humanly possible. The goal is to redress the balance of games in which murder is trivial and the cheapest solution to any political problem. Empire is intended to provide a PvM game for players combined with a PvP political game. The magistrates exist to try to ensure that most conflict between players remains political. It is possible for a magistrate to play other roles some of the time if they wish.<br /> <br /> Being a magistrate requires some charisma and personal presence. The magistrates have the full backing of the setting, but that will not serve if they cannot get the support of the majority of players. Magistrates need to be unbiased and although they are encouraged to play the role on an ongoing basis they should avoid becoming embroiled in the politics of the game; like all civil servants they are compelled to remain honest and impartial by the magical power of the oaths they have sworn. Being a magistrate is a great role for anyone with an intuition for skulduggery and a sense of drama for making court scenes dramatic.<br /> &lt;row-fluid&gt;<br /> &lt;span12&gt;<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=JonCreek.jpg|align=left|caption=Head Magistrate: Jon Creek}}<br /> &lt;/span12&gt;<br /> &lt;/row-fluid&gt;<br /> <br /> We are looking for one or two other magistrates.<br /> <br /> ==GOD Team==<br /> The Games Operation Desk (GOD) operates as the main contact point for players and crew throughout the event. We’re responsible for handling a wide variety of game administration, from handing out packs and recording rituals to recording lost property and helping new players create their first characters.<br /> <br /> There are a variety of roles within the GOD team depending on your skills and interests. Some will be largely computer-based (our “front desk” crew), but not all. GOD crew handle large amounts of in-character resources and sometimes out-of-character cash, so it’s important that we’re known and seen to be trustworthy. Ideally, GOD crew will be around from Thursday to help with setting up GOD and handing out packs, but the key work is from Friday lunchtime to a few hours after time-out on Sunday. <br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see?===<br /> * '''GOD operates throughout the event, although we have a rota to ensure everyone gets breaks and the chance for those who want to take some R&amp;R'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Good customer service skills'''<br /> * '''Take instructions well, but be prepared to take your own initiative from one task to the next'''<br /> * '''If you have an R&amp;R character, being confident you can keep the information you learn in GOD separate from your character’s knowledge'''<br /> <br /> While it’s unnecessary for all our GOD crew, being comfortable using a radio and a computer are significant bonuses.<br /> <br /> ==Coach Team== <br /> We need one person to join the small coach team. The position involves helping and guiding players from Banbury train station to the coach, helping with luggage loading and unloading and being a passenger on the coach for the day. This will be an off-site role but is customer facing. <br /> <br /> On the Sunday the role is managing the players and their luggage to leave site. This duty will have you staying on site until the last coach is gone late in the evening.<br /> <br /> ===How much of the event will you see===<br /> * '''The duties are during the day on Thursday and Friday, and on Sunday afternoon. Outside of these times (listed below) you are free to do your own thing.'''<br /> <br /> ===Requirements===<br /> * '''Reasonably fit to handle luggage'''<br /> * '''Be available Thursday 12 noon to 8.30pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Friday 10am to 5pm'''<br /> * '''Be available Sunday 2.30pm to 7.30pm'''<br /> * '''Able to Check on and around the train station for lost LRPers'''<br /> <br /> <br /> --&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=Credits_2019&diff=116143 2024-11-18T11:12:03Z

<p>Spoondog: </p> <hr /> <div>[[Category:Crew]]<br /> ==Overview==<br /> Putting on an Empire event requires a huge amount of work from a small army of people. This page lists everyone who was a member of Empire [[Crewing|crew]] at an event this year to help create the game throughout 2019. Many people worked in multiple departments, but to make the list readable we've credited them as members of their primary team and department. Some people crewed one event, some people crewed all four, but Profound Decisions would be unable to operate its events without the passion and dedication of the volunteers who work tirelessly to bring their game to life in whatever capacity.<br /> <br /> &lt;table class=&quot;wikitable mw-collapsible sortable&quot;&gt;&lt;tr&gt;&lt;th&gt;Crew&lt;/th&gt;&lt;th&gt;Team&lt;/th&gt;&lt;th&gt;Department&lt;/th&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Neil Alexander&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ramadan Ali&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emmy Allen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Makeup&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Steven Alonso&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dave Amson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Becka Anderson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Scott Anderson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Richard Andrews&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lou Ardent&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Crew Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Catherine Armstrong&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Michael Ashbee&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Liam Ayland&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Max Ayson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Litter Picking&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Simon Backhouse&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toni Badnall-Neill&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ella Badura&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Domonic Bailey&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Joshua Bailey&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Morgan Baker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rowan Baker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Peter Baldwin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Simon Barnes&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jane Barnett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Marleena Barran&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charlotte Barratt&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lloyd Barrett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Piers Bateman&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jay Baxendale&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rosemary Bayliss&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;William Bayliss&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Bebb&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Catriona Bechtel&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Melvin Beckley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Bell-Hartley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jamie Bentley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jordan Beresford&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alexandru Besinschi&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Nathan Bettam&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alex Bevan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Isaac Bitelli&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Boddy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Xavier Bodsworth&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Hugo Boucheny&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Arran Boyd&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Miranda Brennan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charlie Bretherick&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Waz Bretherick&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Franki Brett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Vicky Brewster&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Maxwell Brown&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Simon Brown&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Terry Buckley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Christine Bunker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Burrows&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Oliver B&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Butcher&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Butterworth&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Billy Cady&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gabriella Calvert&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Craig Campbell&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Luke Campbell&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jennifer Cape&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sydney Cardew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rowan Carr&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Katherine Catchpole&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jonathan Catton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mathew Chamberlain&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rebecca Champ&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Beth Charlton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Simon Childs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jamie Choo&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bethany Christopher&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Stephen Churchett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;George Clark&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Christopher Clarke&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rick Clarke&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Heather Clayton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Phil Clayton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Zachary Clayton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jon Cole&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toby Coleman&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ruth Collier&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Connell&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Battle Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sally Connolly&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charles Cooke&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;IT&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Cooper&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jonathan Cooper&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Paul Cope&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Workshop&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matt Couldridge&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;SFX&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dhiamara Coulson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Costume&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rebekah Courtney&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Nick Cox&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Fred Crawley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jon Creek&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Crollie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Michael Crotch - Harvey&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Fiona Crouch&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andy Crowston&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lynda Cully&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Luca Da Re&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Camp Coordinator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Helen Dabill&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Neil Dabson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kieran Daly&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adele Davies&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Crew Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Peter Davies&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Karen Dawson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mitchell de Beer&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;S Deen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Callum Deery&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Dinwoodie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ben Dixon&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Erin Donovan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Crew Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Beth Dooner&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Photography&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Phil D'Souza&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;SFX&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andy Dudgeon&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Joseph Dudley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rachel Durrant&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Elliott&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Clare Evans&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Clive Evans&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;IT&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jack Evans&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jim Evans&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Everett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Paige Exton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Oliver Facey&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lesley Fannin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Aaron Farnes&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Oliver Faulkner&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jerry Ferley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Melissa Fionda&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Fishwick-Ford&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Katie Flasby&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Fokti&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dylan Foster-Hunt&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rose Foster-hunt&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Marc Fothergill&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Katherine Fowler&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ben Frake&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kerrie Frances&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Participant Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Francis&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Franglen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Maria Frank&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ricky Freed&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Gallon&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ian Gannaway&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Garnett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Photography&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sophie Garrett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Gathercole&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Milo Geoghegan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Litter Picking&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jake Gilbert&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jemma Gilbert&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Shanine Gill&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mikey Gillespie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Daniel Gillett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tony Goddard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Goffin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Craig Goodall&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Anna Gore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jason Gorringe&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alexander Graeber&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Per Adam Granlund Oresten&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Gray&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Daniel William Gray&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Gray&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Camp Coordinator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Green&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Peter Green&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Samantha Green&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alan Grice&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Neil Griffiths&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Eleanor Hall&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Pip Hall&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Han Hallsworth&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tegwen Hammersley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Hancocks&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Battle Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Harding&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Doug Hare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jordan Harlow&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Harrison&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Stefan Harrison&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Harry Harrold&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jon Hart&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ben Harvey&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ben Harwood&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Hasbury&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Michael Hay&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Skirmish&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jennifer Hayden&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Makeup&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Haynes&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Troy Healy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matt Heath&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sally Heath&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Beck Hemsley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Props&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Henderson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Battle Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Heritage&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emmy Herman&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Makeup&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mike Hilton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Francois Hilton Jones&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matt Holden&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dan Hooper&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ian Horne&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kirsty Horne&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jak Horner&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Katie Horner&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alfred Horsley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Laura Hoskison&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Troy Hoskison&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Samantha Howard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Oscar Howel&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Samuel Howel&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Howel&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alexander Humphreys&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ben Humphreys&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Paul Hunt&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Skirmish&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sharon Hunter-Fennell&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Roanne Hyde&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rowan Ingram&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jethro Jack&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Jackson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tristan Jackson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David James&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Graeme Jamieson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Event Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Duncan Jay&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Litter Picking&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jeffery Jenkins&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Karl Jepson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charlie Johnson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matthew Johnson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Aaron Johnston&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ashe Jones&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Samuel Jones&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Edmund Joyner&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alex Judkins&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Kearney&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Keeley&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Thomas Kemp&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lucy Kerrane&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Elinor Kershaw&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tea Kew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Stewart Key&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Kibblewhite&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jonathan Kidger&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Harriette King&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tin King&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Skirmish&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tanis Kingston&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Stephen Kirkbride&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;William Kitchen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Keeley Knight&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tim Knight&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Erin Knott&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mark Kuggeleijn&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Leo Lambton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Philip Lane&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;William Lankford&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charlie Latimer&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Shaun Lay&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Carolyne Le Mare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Deanna Leedle&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jakub Legowik&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Simon Lemoine&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Aaliyah Lewis&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dale Lewis&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Julia Lewis&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jim Little&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Littlewood&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lilith Coker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alex Loffstadt&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Douglas Loscalzo&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Cordelia Lowe&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Event Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Richard Lynn&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rory Maguire&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Francesca Malin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Leo Marjoram&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Erin Marsh&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Barnie Matthews&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Martin Matthews&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David McBride&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Props&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dale McClurg&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ambrose Mccullough&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Robert Mcdonagh&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lorraine McKee&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Faye McKenzie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Abalyn McMullen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Joshua McNelly&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jonathan Merrifield&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Miller&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jenna Milligan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sean Milligan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Martin Milne-Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Panda Monium&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ethan Monk&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mara Moon&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Moore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Victor Morgan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Harry Morris&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Luis Morrison&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matt Moya&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Hayley Murray&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Vikiy Myers&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Neal&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Newberry&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Callum Newton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Newton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Participant Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Wayne Newton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mark Nichols&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;SFX&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Morgan Nicholson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Amy Noon&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Norris&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam North&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Brendan O'Brien&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Craig Odie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Michael Oliver&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tom Owen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jonathan Pam&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Parr&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jade Parsonage&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Thomas Pattinson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Pel Pearcey&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matthew Pearson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Graham Pegg&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Christopher Penney&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alison Pennington&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matthew Pennington&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Event Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alice Phippen&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mark Pickering&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrea Pico Gonzalez&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Eleanor Pinner&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charlotte Pirie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matthew Pirie&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Louis Pointer-Jones&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Anthony Porteous&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;William Power&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lucy Poynter&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Catherine (Cat) Prescott&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sam Pritchard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tansy Pye&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kat Quatermass&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Rafferty&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Event Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Münür Ramadan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Martin Rathbone&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Litter Picking&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sian Rees&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dan Regan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dan Regan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Joseph Regan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Simon Rice&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Nathan Richards&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Wesley Richmond&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Roberts&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chira Roberts&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Stuart Roberts&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emily Robinson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Costume&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matthew Robinson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Wrenna Robson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Katie Rogers&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ian Roper&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jason Rose&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Harley-James Ross&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Round&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emma Round&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emma Rowden&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dominic Rowney&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Charlotte Elizabeth Ruddick&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alison Russo&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Paul Ryder&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sesquipedality&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alexander Scott&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Benjamin Sealy-Minto&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Adam Sharman&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Shaw&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Sheridan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mark Shield&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Pascal Siddons&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Elizabeth Simoens&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Duncan Simpson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jessica Simpson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Encounter Tents&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Len Simpson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Driver&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Luke Sims&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alex Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Caryn Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emily Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gary Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Leonie Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Nicholas Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Robert Smith&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Phillip Smyth&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;William Somerville&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Liam Spinage&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Richard Squire&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kim St Clair&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Laura St Leger-Harris&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Michael St Omer&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Steph Stangroom&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emma Stanton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Robert Steele&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jakub Stefanowski&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Stephenson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Vicki Stephenson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Makeup&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lauren Stephens-spence&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Crew Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Benjamin Luke Stevens&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Steve Stiles&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Notty Stone&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Harry Stuart&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Samantha Sulkin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Martyn Sullivan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Samantha Sutton&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Caroline Sweeney&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;David Sweetman&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lesley Sweetman&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Justin Talsma&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Luke Tannahill&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Leah Tardivel&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Workshop&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Liam Taylor&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Richard Taylor&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tony Taylor&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matilda Tempest&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Matt Thomas&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Steve Thomason&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ian Thompson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Skirmish&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jay Thompson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Chris Thornett&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Edward Thurlow&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Angela Tiernan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Steven Tiernan&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kiwi Tokoeka&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Robin Topper&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Melissa Trender&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jimmy Tucker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Anthony Twissell&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alexander Tyrrell&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Stef van Buuren&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Camp Coordinator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Martin Verran&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Magistrate&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Daniel Waldron&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lauren Walker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alice Wall&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gate Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Malin Walle&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sparky&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Gerwyn Wayne Walters&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Academy&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bethany Ward&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kim Ward&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rebecca Waring&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;NPC&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Bethan Watkin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Watson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Rebecca Watts&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Crew Welfare&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;John Weir&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Graham Wellard&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Benjamin Wenham&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Kathryn Wheeler&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Richard Whitaker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Susan Whitaker&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Belinda White&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Paul &quot;chalkie&quot; White&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Aaron Whitehorn&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Heather Wickson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Marianne Wilberforce&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Melanie Wilberforce&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Paul Wilder&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Mark Wilkin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Moderator&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Morgan Wilkinson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site Crew&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Robert Willatts&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Weapons Check&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Antony Williams&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Traffic Management&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Helaena Williams&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Robert Williams&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jordan Wills&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dave Wilson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Freya Wilson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Lauren Wilson&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Linette Withers&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Egregore&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Sabrina Withers&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Workshop&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot Production&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;James Wood&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Infrastructure&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Joe Wood&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;GOD&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Admin&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Amy Woodhead&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ben Woodhead&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Civil Service&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Emma Woods&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Jade Woods&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Set Dressing&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Alexandra Wragg&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Security&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Andrew Wride&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Toilet Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Nicholas Wright&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Maco X&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Tavern&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Site&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Luke York&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Skirmish Team&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Plot&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;tr&gt;&lt;td&gt;Dave Young&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Ref - Field&lt;/td&gt;&lt;td&gt;Refs&lt;/td&gt;&lt;/tr&gt;<br /> &lt;/table&gt;</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=What_we_do&diff=116142 2024-11-18T11:02:01Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Three-thousand, six-hundred Freddos */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Category:Crew]][[Category:Game Design]]<br /> ==Overview==<br /> These are short articles written by crew members about what they do during, or between, events. Originally written for Facebook, they maintain the same sort of informal tone found in the more game-design oriented essays you can find [[Writing about Empire|here]].<br /> ==That Was The Year That Was==<br /> * ''Matthew Pennington runs Profound Decisions; it's his name over the door. He probably has the most diverse job portfolio of anyone, doing everything from answering everyone's e-mails, to ordering toilets, to approving plot, to writing his ''own'' plot, to making sure there are first-aiders, to... you get the idea. As part of the &quot;What We Do&quot; initiative he's written this quick piece looking back over 2018 - and looking forward to the future.''<br /> Andy asked me to try and write a piece on what I do at events, but for once I couldn't think of anything I wanted to say. I'm not usually stuck for words, but it's mostly meetings and that didn't seem that interesting to write about. But I did want to talk about the year we've just had - how extraordinary it's been for us - and what that means for the year ahead - so Andy said I could write about that instead.<br /> <br /> The single word I'd use to describe the last twelve months is &quot;unprecedented&quot;. To be fair the changes all began half-way through 2016 - when hundreds of new players first started coming to Empire - but the impact of that weren't really felt until this year. At the end of 2017 there was always the chance that everything was just a flash in the pan... It was soon clear in the run-up to the first event that that wasn't the case and so we started responding in earnest to the changes.<br /> <br /> The first of those challenges was logistics! There are 5-600 more players per event this year than there were last year. That's a lot of people and the first thing they need is a lot of space. Of course you don't just have to plan for the players you have - you have to try and ensure there's enough room no matter what happens - the last thing we'd ever do is turn people away on the gate because we're full. I've done that once before at an LRP event I was involved with decades ago and I swore I'd never do it again.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Matthew Pennington.jpg|caption=Matthew Pennington.|title=Unprecedented...|width=250|align=right}}<br /> As the bookings started pouring in for the first event, it became pretty obvious that we couldn't carry on just using one field. It's always preferable to have Anvil in one field if we can - but the game is just too big now to accomodate that on our current site. We'd already outlined some plans with the farmer, but once it became clear that it was definitely going to happen, there was some pretty hasty work needed to get the gates put in between the two fields.<br /> <br /> Of course it's not just space - you have to get everyone in and out of the site. That meant laying even more new woodchip roads - this time through the woods - and that meant creating new bridges and yet more gates - to get over the streams and ditches. That's when we hit our first hitch - it was one of the wettest winter's on record. It basically started raining in October and didn't really stop all winter. Once the ground became utterly waterlogged that made any ground work incredibly difficult. And the longer we waited for it to dry out so we could get to work... the more it just kept on raining.<br /> <br /> In the end we just had to get on with it and suck up all the extra work involved with operating in such poor conditions. And given that the winter rain continued right up to - and through - the first event - it's a pretty good job that we did. The new roads only just held up at the first event and the ground itself was in a pretty terrible state. 6 months of rain will do that! Things were a little better in the old field - the new storm drain we'd put in carried the rain away - almost as quickly as it came down. But getting everyone off the site from anywhere was a real struggle.<br /> <br /> Fortunately it finally stopped raining shortly after the first event... and at that point it decided not to rain again that summer... That brought new challenges of its own, but in did mean that at the Spring Event we were finally able to see the new roads working the way we'd hoped. The previous three events had seen long queues to get off site - queues that were getting longer and longer with each event as numbers kept growing. But the new roads did everything we'd hoped and more and the queues pretty much disappeared - much to our delight.<br /> <br /> The other big thing you need with so many people is toilets. These problems were compounded by the fact that the toilets that we'd bought years earlier were at the end of their life and some of them have not survived the move to the new site. We'd been making do by renting additional toilet blocks - but now we needed to make a decision of whether to buy more second-hand units or switch to renting. Whatever happened we were going to need a lot more toilets - but it was a question of whether we spend the money up front buying - or spend it over time by renting.<br /> <br /> In the end we chose the latter option - and I'm really pleased we did. We simply could not have afforded to buy enough toilet units to support the event properly. We'd have managed... but there wouldn't have been enough. Renting large numbers of units meant we could get better quality toilets - and more of them. It's expensive of course - the rental is £30,000 a year - but it meant that we could put a toilet in the crew area for the first time ever.... One day we'll have the money to invest in our own toilets - but not until we've got on our site to build them on. Until then we'll stick with renting - and that means we'll always be able to stay on top of the numbers - as more people come to the event, we can just rent more units.<br /> <br /> There were lots of other challenges that I could talk about. We had to upgrade every electrical cable we owned so that we could get power into the new field. That wasn't straightforward by any means. And rearranging the entire site meant a lot of work for everyone - not least the camp planners. They are a hard working bunch and they cope incredibly well with all the demands put on them by us and the players. In gratitude we switched them all to complimentary tickets this year onwards - it's only fair given how much they put in to organize the camps for everyone's benefit.<br /> <br /> Logistically the year culminated with the extraordinary third event. After non-stop rain all winter, we were now faced with running an event in record temperatures after 6 weeks with no rain. The site was dry as a bone and the fire risks were sky high - so that meant putting a whole raft of new fire restrictions in for the event. I'm delighted to say that we put our trust in the players - told them what we needed them to do - and everyone was incredibly mature and responsible and we had no problems. But it was an interesting challenge for us as I spent days reviewing all our fire planning, looking at evacuations plans and the like. Such work is never really wasted... although in this case I rather hope it's never actually needed.<br /> <br /> Predictably the hot spell broke... over the July weekend we were running our event. The PD weather curse marches on! It didn't stop people coming to the event though... nothing seemed to stop that. The third event it almost always our biggest - since it's during the summer holidays and it's when most people can attend and bring their whole family. This year we shattered all our records though - with well over 1900 adult players on site and just under 2500 people on site by the time you count the young players, the crew, and everyone else. I honestly never imagined that many people would want to play Empire - it's an incredible feeling knowing that you've been part of making a game for so many people.<br /> <br /> Having achieved that milestone, we were able to relex a little and turn our efforts to the battles for the final event. Our battle team were keen to try and create something new and the changes in the woods over winter gave us an opportunity to really go for it. Creating the fort in the woods was a lot of effort - but I'm really pleased they pulled it off It wasn't just the perfect way to end the year; having that there really sets us up nicely for next year. This year it was an epic location for a battle - for 2019 it will be just another tool in our arsenal to try and create better events - at least for as long as we're at the current site.<br /> <br /> How long we'll stay at Dadford Road remains a mystery. We'd been looking at a few places for a year now, with a view to trying to find a new site to rent, somewhere a bit cheaper and closer to the centre of the country. But the extraordinary year we've had forced us to rethink our plans once again. Renting land will always be a hiding to nothing for us - we'll never really be able to create the kind of extraordinary site we'd like to have for the events without a massive programme of investing and the planning permissions to go with it. And that only really makes sense and is only really possible if we own the land. Like almost every LRPer we've dreamed about what we'd do if we owned a LRP site - but by the end of 2018 it was very clear we were in a position to be able to afford to do it - we just have to find the right site to buy.<br /> <br /> So as of last week I was out on the road again - looking at potential permanent sites to buy. That's a long road and one we've been down a few times before and never got to the destination. But I'm feeling really upbeat now. It's going to take a fair few years - just finding a suitable site might take years. But we're better positioned now than we've ever been. We can finally get serious about trying to create a permanent dedicated live roleplaying site to support what we do and hopefully the entire hobby.<br /> <br /> That hasn't been the only big change though. Gaining so many new players brings a lot of challenges in terms of supporting them. As a result, the existing game team, myself, Graeme, and Andy - asked Clare Evans if she'd step up and join the team. Clare has run the egregore team and the new player team since the game began - and she's been amazing. So as part of the change we asked her to also take responsibility for all the field NPCs - so the civil service team now also comes under her wing. That means having a consistent philosophy about the way our field NPCs support players in the game - and it means that every field NPC has a direct link to a member of the game team.<br /> <br /> At the start of the year I asked Andy to join Profound Decisions as a full-time member of staff as campaign director. Obviously Empire runs on an army of volunteers - the events happen because of their hard work and ambition. But as the game kept growing we needed more people who were available to support the game 24/7 and that's not something we can realistically ask of a volunteer. Having Andy onboard as the full time member of staff responsible for the setting and the plot meant we were able to do more to improve that side of the game as well as freeing up my time to do things like look for a few new site.<br /> <br /> And that brings me neatly to my final piece of news - I'm genuinely delighted to let people know that Graeme Jamieson is going to be joining Profound Decisions full time. He'll continue as a member of the game team and head of rules for Empire but take on the role of finance director for Profound Decisions. As anyone who knows me well knows - I'm ok at running a LRP event - but I'm bloody awful at running a business. Graeme is going to bring some much needed discipline to PD - we'll have proper budgets and plans and all sorts of things real companies do (allegedly). That means we'll have a much better run business and I'll have more time to concentrate on land sharks and dragons and forts - so it's a win-win for everyone. Know your own limitations and do the thing you're good at is my motto!<br /> <br /> It'll be a big change for our crew - going from a situation where I basically just say yes to everything - to one where they agree actual budgets for the year with Graeme. But in the long term it should help everyone to have a lot more certainty and be able to plan properly for the year. <br /> <br /> And it's a huge step for us - it basically means Profound Decisions has doubled in size this year - at least in terms of the number of people we're employing on a full-time basis. But it's an absolutely crucial step to take if we're to buy our own site and make a success of developing it.<br /> <br /> And it really sets us up going into 2019 - we have the strongest team we've ever had at Profound Decisions - both our volunteer crew and our full time team staff. So we're all set to keep trying to improve every event to make it better than our last. And the incredible influx of new players has brought a fantastic energy to the game, with so much enthusiasm and passion.<br /> <br /> I hope I see you there!<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Beth Dooner.png|caption=Beth Dooner.|title=Not shown: the Shattered Tower, who are probably just out of shot.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> ==Exhausting But Rewarding==<br /> * ''Beth Dooner is one of the prolific crew photographers responsible for capturing many of the images of players doing things that stop our wiki pages being unreadable walls of text (among other things).''<br /> I go to events. Take photos. Go home. And that’s it right? Well, sort of. There’s a lot more to it than that.<br /> <br /> Before events, I try and get feelers out for any cool encounters that may be happening, or big set pieces that the game may want me to capture (think The Wicker Man or the Kallavsei Funeral). I’ll take a look at what national festivals may be happening and try and record general times for them. Then it’s looking at predicted sunset times to figure out how much time I have to shoot on Friday night; looking at the weather forecast to see if I need to bring any protection for my kit; and look at the field layout so I can see where everyone is. <br /> <br /> Did I mention I also play a character? So this is alongside all of the Winds of Fortune absorbing and goals planning for her. <br /> <br /> I can plan styles of photos as much I like before an events - and I do tend to have some idea of what I’d like to achieve - but there are always factors that change that slightly. Perhaps the weather is cloudy all weekend when I wanted to experiment with more lens flares. Maybe all those epic battlefield shots I wanted that show how big shield walls can be are put to rest because all battles will take place in the woods. <br /> <br /> Being able to work with what you are given with very little control over it outside of your own camera and where you are standing is part of being a photographer at Empire. Spontaneity and being able to think on your feet is key. And don’t get me wrong, it’s frustrating as heck to see the perfect shot lined up and just as you go to get it, the key figure turns away or someone walks in front of you. Due to our rule of not interfering with role play whilst doing photography, I can’t exactly ask someone to do it again. It’s a moment lost, so you often have to decide whether you stay where you are and hope the same opportunity comes up again or move on.<br /> <br /> At events, I do a mixture of playing my character and photographing. I am purely out of character during battles (shown by my red and black coat) but tend to remain IC for much of my Anvil shots. I thankfully play a character who is quite active and has a lot of reasons to wander around the field and see people. I try and do a purely out of character lap of the field once or twice a day though. <br /> <br /> There’ll always be stuff you miss, but it’s amazing the scope of stuff you get and it’s always significant to someone. Whether it's a big moment heroic moment on the battlefield, or a hushed conversation between two characters, or someone looking wistfully off into the distance… each of these moments have story, and that’s what I love about photographing Empire. <br /> <br /> After an event, I’m usually too exhausted to work on photos straight away. Carrying a camera bag and camera does have somewhat of a physical toll on me, so I usually take a night or two to rest up. Once all my images are on my computer, I get to work on going through them. First to go are all the blurred or over exposed ones. They do take up a lot of space. Next to go are the ‘doubles’ from when I have gone click click click with a camera to make sure I don’t catch someone blinking or that slightly unflattering frozen moment during mid speech. We all have them. Then it’s a final look through to take out some weaker shots, but I try to be as kind as I can with these; what may be a ‘weak shot’ to me could possibly make someone’s day and be the centre piece on their grandma’s mantlepiece. <br /> <br /> Then it’s time for that good old post-production. I could be kind to myself and treat every photo the same and just put the same filter on them all after I’ve done some general fixing. However, I like to try and get the best out of every photo, so I retouch each photo individually. I enjoy it a lot, even if it does take more time than simply popping a filter on. I love tapping into my knowledge of colour theory, and looking at film production stills and illustrations to figure out how to make each image shine on its own whilst still being part of a cohesive album. A narrative within the image and the album.<br /> <br /> It does take a lot of mental energy though, which is why likes and comments when the album is uploaded is crucial for my wellbeing. I am especially happy if someone from the Game Team or who helped create the world comments on or likes a photo. I do this for the players of Profound Decisions on the whole, so being able to make both of them happy is a job well done for me.<br /> <br /> It is exhausting, but ultimately rewarding. And keeps me being creative!<br /> <br /> ==All the Little Orc Chrysalises==<br /> * ''Leah Tardivel heas up our plot production team who make sure we have props, costumes, masks, and the occasional monolith for our assorted plots.''<br /> I’m part of an exceptional team. I’ve found this really hard to write because while I have done all these things and would consider all of these things, at least in part, my responsibility it isn’t just me that does them, and for some events it isn’t me at all. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Leah.png|caption=Leah Tardivel.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Empire owns various props that can’t be stored in the field, and some of those live in Coventry. A lot of these are taken because they need care or cleaning such as the orc masks and the NPC costume. Others come back to Coventry because they are too delicate or vulnerable for the field, such as the AV kit and some of the larger monster costumes. As a result our early Empire jobs involve getting things cleaned, prepped and repacked from last event, and working which bits of kit we’re likely to need in the field for the next one. <br /> <br /> We also work with plot writers to ensure we have everything we need by way of set dressing and props for them to do their thing at the next event. We have sorting days and packing weekends (and we’re always grateful for anyone that can spare any time to help). <br /> <br /> I’ve always felt the event proper starts with the vans. They turn up on the Wednesday or Thursday and everything goes to site. <br /> <br /> I regularly say that I haven’t got a clue what I do on site, but that’s not technically true. I talk a lot. I listen a lot, and then I fill in for whichever of the rest of my team needs me to help in order to ensure we get stuff done. My team are plot production. We consist of makeup, costume, props, encounter tents, SFX, and the props workshop, working out of the monster tent. It gives me very varied events, and often very varied days. I can move from dressing NPCs; to building random props out of cable ties, gaffa tape, and hope; to trying to work out how to get the lights on the regio to work within the course of an hour. I’ve not recently been called on to do makeup. They’re pretty independent. <br /> <br /> I’m currently spending time with Beth working out how to build communication between Plot Production, the NPC team, and the plot writers. This has improved massively over the last year, but I still want the system to be a lot more useful to everyone. I like the idea we can do the impossible more often. <br /> <br /> I really like getting to site on a Thursday afternoon and walking into an empty monster tent full of long grass and then building it up to a functioning busy hub, and slowly dismantling it all again so that it can be just empty space again by Sunday evening. As with the rest of Empire it feels so substantial to be something that exists for less than three days at a time.<br /> <br /> For the most part I tend to be busy with set up on Friday, spend Saturday filling in and discussing how to build bigger and better things and then I spend Sunday getting everything packed down, and offsite or stored. We aim to have the monster tent empty by about half two so we can drop our stall at time out and then load the van(s) to get the kit back to Coventry so that we can dry, wash and store it all, and begin planning for next time. <br /> ==I Don't Do Tents==<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Woody.png|caption=Woody Grimsby.|title=Power tools and archery for the win.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> * ''Woody Grimsby doesn't really do tents, but he does hack things out of wood. He also runs away from things in his spare time.''<br /> I don’t do tents. Actually, that’s sort of a lie, though, as I do help on tents as needed - such as the big ones for Monster and GOD - but I don’t tend to do tents the rest of the set up. <br /> <br /> So, what ''do'' I do? Well pretty much anything needing power tools and construction, except ramps. Andy (##McCullough - Raff'') does ramps. Plus each event is different depending on what PD want to achieve and where in the year we are. Typically, if it’s been made using wood and screws I have been involved somewhere along the line. <br /> <br /> I am generally onsite on a Tuesday and start work Wednesday morning. For the first event of each year the first jobs are the floor and the roof on the tavern so the Thursday night crowd have somewhere dry to stand without holes they could fall in. After that it’s the same with the Senate building, then other odd jobs such as the table for the Military Council or the portal in the Hall of Worlds. Occasionally I am needed to put holes in things or fix things for the plot people but that’s rarer now they have people who can do that. Outside of event one I tend to have a bit more time so this year it was building a certain fort. Previous years it’s been arenas and stands for tourneys, or seating for coronations. <br /> <br /> Once the event starts I am often on call as a red cap carrying out repairs for instance if someone manages to find a way to fall through the floor of the Senate or Tavern. In events with very bad weather I spend a lot of time going around re-pegging tents and just doing what needs to be done. Again, the level of commitment depends on the events some events need very little work during them. <br /> <br /> Once the event is over there is often very little for my specific skill set so I pitch in with whichever team needs to assistance, either traffic or taking down tents. On muddy events i'm often busy pushing cars and vans toward roads. <br /> <br /> Then its relax at the crew party and hear about all the things that people have done over the weekend. <br /> <br /> Monday its finish up tents occasionally do some litter picking. Seriously if you want to find the most soul destroying job in the world its litter picking the field once everyone has gone. <br /> <br /> So yeah that’s what a red cap who doesn’t do tents does. What I will say is when I started this crewing malarkey at event one of Odyssey I had no clue, its working with the great people of PD crew that I have been taught how to do what I now do and am trusted with power tools. I even know a little bit about plumbing too, which is nice.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Nick Turner.jpg|caption=Nick Turner.|title=He also finds time to cook.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> <br /> ==Position of Trust==<br /> * ''Nick Turner is a player who volunteers to help out in various capacities through the weekend, such as player-reffing and helping deliver some of our new player briefs.''<br /> I’ve been playing Empire since the start but in that time I’ve helped out on the other side of the fence as well in various guises. This came about from spending a chunk of my formative years on the other side of the world and I wanted to give back to my hobby, without having to stop playing. Most of the time I’m a regular player - paying for my ticket as usual - but I'm happy to help out where I can.<br /> <br /> My event starts briefly a couple weeks beforehand when I check with the Ref team about any particular items they want me to mention in the combat brief I deliver on Friday afternoon. These are normally things that have flagged up from previous event that need to be covered/reinforced. <br /> <br /> I arrive on Thursday and get set up in the play area as any character camping IC does. On Friday afternoon I run the combat brief (twice) for new players. These briefing sessions are aimed at new players (of which we had hundreds this year), but are also open to anyone else who fancies a refresh of the battle rules. They last about 45 minutes all told. During the briefs myself, Johnny Fisher, and Emma Rowden go through the general rules, safety, special calls, archery, magic, and most importantly the “cinema” of LARP combat. I’m a great believer that role-playing doesn’t stop the moment we go through the gate, and I stress that wherever possible. The team field questions on combat and battle, an then the new players crack onto the practice skirmish which is led by the fantastic Tim Baker and Maz Wilberforce. As I said above my sessions are open to everyone so please feel free to drop by even if you aren't a new player.<br /> <br /> Come time-in I’m ready to play my character - but my support duties don’t end completely. <br /> <br /> I also hold a radio as a “player-ref”. At certain times the core ref team benefit from another body, and that's where I come in. Essentially, I’m an extra ref in the field to help where needed. I carry a tabard in my bag and put it on when required (''On-duty referees are [[Referee#Identifying_a_Ref|identified]] by their black-and-gold livery - when Nick's not wearing this he's just another player - Raff''). My role is primarily dealing with general questions, performing [[create bond|bondings]], processing rituals, and reffing Anvil combat such as the Dawnish tourney or the Imperial Orc fighting pit. I also do whatever miscellaneous stuff the ref team require. <br /> <br /> Come the battles I join the battle ref team where I tend to act as a roaming ref covering mass combat. As an IC archer I’m often asked to keep an eye of archery safety on the field (''Nick made [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcKZxfaO4ks this helpful video] for example which is helpful watching for anyone doing LRP archery - Raff'')<br /> <br /> As a player referee, I am limited in that I cannot hold an [[Imperial title]], or get highly involved with certain parts of the game (''Even though he's a player, Nick abides by the same rules about what he can and can't do IC as the rest of the event crew - Raff''), but it has suited my game (and enjoyment) to help out like this for several years – I’m never bored or slowing down during time in. This role takes me all over the field and it always amazes me the detail in every corner. I also never forget how much of a position of trust I am in. <br /> <br /> Like most refs I stop at time-out on Sunday, hand my radio/tablet in and pack up my IC kit ready for next time.<br /> <br /> ==Occasional Monster==<br /> * ''Mark is one of the people responsible for wrangling the [[Current_crewing_opportunities#Skirmish_Team_.2810_spaces.29|Skirmish team]], but he also writes some plot, and plays monster and NPC roles throughout the event. Here he's writing a little about what he does, and a little about what Skirmish team as a whole do.''<br /> Sometimes I’m a monster<br /> <br /> During downtime I write plot, but for events I tend to wear several hats. At the event I'm mostly the quartermaster for the Skirmish crew, and when I get a chance I'm a monster on quests, battles, and skirmishes.<br /> <br /> My event prep normally starts about four weeks before the events where I normally am writing up my plots and hatching my ‘evil’ plans. I tend to try and have them in a finished state at least two weeks before the event kicks off so I can get final sign off from Matt and Andy. The next week is spent double checking I've made any props I need, and checking I have back up of plot briefs in case of IT issues on site. (''Which never, ever, ever happen - Raff'')<br /> <br /> Then comes the joy of the event. On Thursday morning I'll start heading up to site from the sunny south. On arrival I'll do some light set-up in monster, and join others in Skirmish crew to set up any special surprises planed for the battles (e.g. the fort from last event).<br /> <br /> Friday is when the real work begins, though, As soon as we have about eight crew together we begin unpacking the Skirmish crew container. We have a mix of light, medium and heavy armour, typically around thirty sets of each. Once all the other boxes are unpacked, there is always one hated box remaining - the box of chain (well mostly ring mail). Again there is about thirty sets in there, so skirmish crew put the &quot;chain&quot; in &quot;chain-gang&quot; as we lug it all into monster. We will spend the next few hours getting it all set up and easy to access so when we really need that ‘awesome druj blood soaked apron’ we can find it quickly. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Mark Pickering.png|caption=Mark Pickering.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> By this time its normally around 16:00, when the skirmish crew will go out for some fight training run by Gary aka ‘evil’. After this we get our time honoured briefing from the Skirmish boss (Andy Connell), and then the crew are split into two teams - team Plot and team War.<br /> <br /> Team War - the larger of the two teams - monsters quests in support of the military campaign. The skirmishes they take part in range from an elite unit of [[Jotun]] [[Elite_Jotun_troops#Skjaldir|Skjaldir]] to injured [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops just trying to get home. At the same time team Plot, generally the smaller team, will be monstering skirmishes in support of plot lines. These could be anything form a lost [[Legendary_beasts#Mandowla|mandowla]] to drugged-up bandits. Either way fun is guaranteed. Typically one team will be in the woods and the other in the field, and fight three or four twenty-minute quests with a ten minute breather between each, then go back to monster for a longer rest and re-kit.<br /> <br /> On Friday we start around half six which, after the briefing, means we just have time to grab food then we start prepping for the first encounter of the event. Our next proper break comes around 22:00.This is when we hear what battles the heroes of the Empire have chosen, and get our battle plans form Andy C. Then I and a few others will begin to prepare for tomorrow's batte, doing jobs such as sorting out base layers and the like. Then I run round all the toilet blocks putting up the &quot;what you need to bring&quot; signs for Tom (''Thomas Hancocks - Raff''). I'll then get back to monster for the Elite Military Unit briefing at midnight, after which ill do a bit of tidying, and find out how my plots went, just in time for bed at 01:00. (''Elite Military Units are the player volunteer bands of monsters with specific roles who'll take part in the next day' battles - Raff'')<br /> <br /> Saturday rolls on. I'll normally be up by 07:30 sorting out my kit ready for the battle. Then I grab a quick breakfast, before finishing kitting up, and getting the battle prep boards out the front of monster. A few skirmish crew will stay behind to help players kit up, but the rest will head on out to the field. When all the crew are ready and we get the okay from Tom to start letting the players thought (around 09:30), we will start briefing and counting the volunteer monsters. I'll spend the next hour counting/briefing and helping out with any issues that come up. We will close monster at around 10:30 (Graeme Jamieson gives us the shout when to stop), at which point I'll ether run out to join the monsters or help with battle logistics depending on the need. Either way I normally arrive on the field just as the players are about to enter so it’s all a bit of a rush. But a glorious battle awaits! <br /> <br /> After the battle we will help sort out the battle prep tent, then go to Andy’s debrief on what worked well and what didn’t. After a quick lunch I'll tidy monster up and prep kit for the afternoon quests. We will pick up again with the patterns of three-four quests followed by a break and do this until around 18:00 which we break for lunch. By this point we are usually beginning to lag a little, and lunch is a welcome break. After this we are back to fighting again until about 22:00 when we again start to get ready for the next day’s battle with a briefing. Saturday night is much the same as Friday night, and gain I finally roll in bed around 01:00 ready for war the next day.<br /> <br /> Sunday morning's battle unfolds like Saturday's, but afterward we split into two. Half of the team search the battlefield for lost property (which is sent to GOD), and do some litter picking. The rest help me pack down monster. At current rate we seem to finish take down just in time for Time Out, and the end of the event. <br /> <br /> Over the weekend, between the two teams we will have fought two battles and around thirty quests.Skirmish crew is exhausting, but it's always a joy to fight alongside such mad keeners. My personal pet favourites are playing Druj and unliving husks, but hey who wouldn’t want to be the baddies, who know they have skulls on their hats? I have been spray painted black, duct taped into monster costumes, died in a sinking muddy puddle, but not once have I ever considered stopping - after all the Hundred live to die!<br /> <br /> ==Three-thousand, six-hundred Freddos==<br /> * ''Lou Ardent is the head of the crew welfare team who make sure that PD crew are fed and watered throughout the weekend.''<br /> <br /> Hi, my name’s Lou, I'm non-binary, queer and utterly amazing (at least that’s what people tell me whilst I'm doing my job and I tend to believe them). My very first encounter with any of the crew was during Odyssey, One of the crew members came over to the camp looking for help building parts of the fighting arena. I got chatting to some people whilst there and found out that you could get your event ticket, meals and even a drink for free. Being a poor student at the time, this seemed like a great way to attend the event and give back to the community. I came for the food, I stuck around for the camaraderie, community and fulfilling emotions of it all. I actually started out as a redcap but went looking for other things to do and found myself in the crew hut cleaning up. From there it didn't take The previous HoD, Maria, long to snap me up and make me an official member of the Crew Welfare team. Since then my events have seen me take on more responsibilities. <br /> <br /> I’m now head of the crew welfare department so my event usually starts before I even reach the field. I contact the other heads of department and collate an order to be delivered to site. I also arrange for Morrisons to deliver to the site throughout the week. On the Monday before the event i set off and arrive on site, I put up my tent, set up my bed and sometimes I'll assess the state of the crew welfare hut and make a plan of action for the following day. This occasionally involves finding mysterious objects that have appeared in the hut because there was nowhere else to put them. If the previous event was a muddy one, I empty out the hut, wipe down the higher surfaces, scrape the mud off the floor using a handy garden hoe and then mop. I go through and arrange whatever supplies were left after the last event and set out the hut in a manner which makes everything easy to find. <br /> <br /> Wednesdays see me up at 8:30 am to grab breakfast, finish any organising and cleaning in preparation for the Morrison's and wholesalers deliveries. This tends to be several crates of perishables and 2 to 3 pallets stacked high with all sorts of goodies for the various departments. The rest of my day is spent sorting through these, putting some of it in the hut and delivering the rest to the bar and toilet teams. I also prepare a cooked meal for those on crew who eat keto. I try to be done by 6pm because then I find one of the Penningtons and go buy 30-40 pizzas, plus a few kebabs for the crew. <br /> <br /> The rest of the week is much the same, I tidy, clean, restock and problem solve. I take orders from all the teams for any supplies they need and go get them. I remind, and sometimes force, people to eat, although most of the crew seem to have gotten quite good at this now. I also make sure people have hydrated, put on sunscreen and are not overdoing things. From Wednesday onwards I set out a buffet in the crew tent for people to make sandwiches and deliver supplies to those who can't always get to the hut. If it’s a hot event we sometimes get the paddling pool out. <br /> <br /> Sundays I do my regular duties but I also start to prepare for the crew party. This time it’s a Keto friendly meal, keto friendly dessert, Kebabs, Indian and around 80 Pizzas plus Cake! It’s a lot of work and was definitely a learning experience the first time, but I've got a system worked out now. <br /> <br /> Monday morning after the party I do a cooked breakfast of sausage, bacon and vegan sausage barms (fried eggs on request). Then it’s clearing out the leftover pizza and cake from the food hall and putting out lunch. <br /> <br /> 3600 Freddos later, before I leave on the Tuesday, I do much the reverse of my arrival and pack everything into containers, clean down and take anything that won't survive to the next event to a food bank. <br /> <br /> Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do this on my own and have a wonderful team who help me not only do my job, but who make sure I'm following my own advice of eating and hydrating. <br /> <br /> We do what we do so that everyone else has the energy and executive function to do their jobs. This also includes providing a warm and welcoming environment.<br /> <br /> Updated 19/11/2024<br /> <br /> ==Gin, Sweat, and Tents==<br /> * ''You may have seen Tom Butterworth dashing hither and yon at events, sometimes with a clipboard, always with a red cap and a friendly can-do attitude. He heads up the [[Site_crew#Site_set-up_and_take-down|set-up and take-down]] crew who are responsible ultimately for taking Anvil out of its box before an event and then putting it back in its box after everyone has gone home.''<br /> <br /> I manage one of the key site teams and do a bunch of trouble shooting on the field during set up. I often get the impression that people think I somehow work miracles at Empire. If only!<br /> <br /> My team is most accurately described as the Tent team; if it’s canvas and it’s PD’s, we’re responsible for it. This means we’re visibly out on the IC field and tend to handle lots of other things as well, from deploying benches and emptying bins to helping players with problems. We have anything to do with the running of the electrics team or toilets, or provide running water to the site - separate teams that handle those areas. While we’re all part of site (under our glorious leader, Ali Pennington) our team is the one people usually mean when they refer to the ‘Red Hats’. <br /> <br /> I have a measure of responsibility for the Traffic Team (also part of site) who organizes everyone’s OC camping and parking, but in reality that is entirely handled by the ever-adept Wayne Newton and his capable team, I’m rarely more than a backstop for any tricky decisions he has to make. <br /> <br /> I contribute to my team’s efforts in two significant ways: I arrive with a plan of action and I co-ordinate efforts on the field. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Tommy-B.jpg|caption=Tom Butterworth|title=You can tell this picture is old because of the pristine look of the red hat.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Everything I do is about minimizing effort to maximize productivity. Many PD players and crew have great memories of Red Hats stepping into the breach, hurling themselves at physically strenuous tasks in terrible weather, with few resources other than their muscles, improvisational skill and determination. <br /> <br /> The times when we have to do those things are often great examples of a dedicated team of volunteers pulling together to overcome adversity. They are also an indication that something has gone wrong which could perhaps have been thought about days or weeks before and thus been prevented. So I try and plan to do things the easiest, most efficient way and save our proverbial spoons for the storm winds, the emergency repairs, the mad panic as we look for a tent to replace something that won’t do the job and so on. <br /> <br /> I also often end up linking activities between other teams. You can’t put power in a tent or set dress a tent or send players to a tent until that tent is up, so by necessity I’m either informing or being informed by other teams as to their locations and activities. I’m not in charge of what they do, but I do end up as a de facto coordinator. <br /> <br /> Having a lot of information pass through me to others is probably why my team and I often gets called in to deal with problems that don’t quite fall into any other category. Most of the time that’s fine, though Thursday set up is usually pretty mental…when you’re half way through a complex radio conversation and several people are stood in front of you trying to ask you questions at the same time the brain does sometimes melt! <br /> <br /> (I rarely succeed at reminding myself that I’m only one person at times like this, though usually friends remind me of such later on, when I’m unpacking the day out loud over beer/gin).<br /> <br /> Other things I do during setup include providing backup for Camp Planners if they hit problems, liaising with traders and caterers for their set up (again, usually only if there’s problems), ensuring the structure and roofs on the tavern and bar are safe and secure (my team will usually handle that work if there are issues). Other things come up and in my role of joining the dots together they sometimes come to me…it’s varied, to say the least.<br /> <br /> There are also a couple of key things I keep an eye on during the run up to an event. <br /> <br /> 3-4 weeks before each event I’ll generally start prodding people in my team to see who is available. Knowing how many people we will have is an inexact science but I ask on the FB group and chivvy people into responding via PM or email. If we have new crew I go through a slightly more lengthily process of explaining what’s involved, making sure they know who to talk to and where to go when they first turn up, that kind of thing. <br /> <br /> On the run up to the event I put together a job list for the team, which includes the tents we have to put up and other odds and sods (benches, repair jobs, finding wee Andy’s toys if he’s lost them). I operate on the principle that I should provide as much information as possible to everyone I can. I’m not sure how helpful that is, but we seem to get through it most events! <br /> <br /> Another thing I do is dividing the Red Hats into tent teams, usually teams of 4 one of which is an experienced Team Leader with a radio (the Team Leaders, by the way, are the core of the team, constantly problem-solving and improvising while leading and swinging a sledge hammer). Sometimes this feels a little futile - people clump together and work with each other as they turn up and are available, so sometimes a proscribed team won’t ever materialize, but when it does work it works well and everyone arrives knowing they have a Team Leader to report to, even if things often change due to circumstances. <br /> <br /> There’s a map that the camp planners put their camp plans on, which I nominally supervise. They do a ton of work on this, organizing what their IC nation camp will look like, from which they inform me where the PD hire tents will go. Once that’s done, and I know which PD tents are going where, I use that information together with the spreadsheet that tells me the contents of the large, brown boxes with numbers on you see littered about the field (sometimes referred to as ‘coffins’) and produce what we call the Box Map. This logistical exercise basically ensures that, when it goes to plan, the complete tent that a team needs is in a box where it should go. <br /> <br /> As part of that I work very closely with Steve Thomason, one of our tele-handler drivers, who has the job of making sure the coffins are in the right places on the field. I get him the map and he deploys the coffins! He’s my hero. <br /> <br /> That’s assuming that I haven’t made mistakes in deploying those boxes, which I normally do, so we have to shuffle them around a bit! <br /> <br /> Actually I’m being a bit unfair to myself there…. those issues are usually related to the previous takedown. <br /> <br /> Because takedown of the previous event often happens with an ever-dwindling number of tired people and the information I receive on what has gone into the boxes is never 100% accurate, there’s always a certain amount of re-shuffling of misplaced resources to be done during setup. <br /> <br /> During takedown, I supervise the process of packing away every tent and our other equipment as much as possible. This is really important as unless we pack down carefully and record where we’ve stored things, life becomes very difficult for the next event. “Surprise tent in a box!” is a nice problem to have but missing parts from a tent in a box are less so. <br /> <br /> One of my key jobs during setup is to ensure that this resource re-shuffle is happening ahead of the work the tent teams are doing - usually with the help of Steve and the tele-handler.<br /> <br /> Many of our problems occur if it rains just before or during takedown. On those occasions it falls to Ali and usually a very small team to do takedown days or even week after the event once the weather improves and canvas is dry. This is where we often struggle with things not being put where others might expect them, or separated…generally a wet takedown means a difficult setup for the following event as we’re still recovering. For my role it’s a nightmare as it means next setup I’ll be running round the field, flinging lids of boxes to discover their true contents. Recently we’ve evolved a system whereby anyone still working on site during a late takedown just texts me the details of wherever they’ve put things, which I can then keep a record of - that seems to work okay! <br /> <br /> After the event, once I’ve got home and readjusted to life inside a building, I record everything I can onto a spreadsheet for next time. <br /> <br /> Essentially my job is to make sure that whether its setup or takedown, the Red Hats can do their jobs with a minimum of too-ing and fro-ing. Again, a certain amount of frustration is inevitable - there’s going to be something that wasn’t put back somewhere sensible - but I try and minimize that as much as possible. I am hopeful that now we finally have a storage container with shelves (lovely shelves!) and labeled storage crates, those issues will continue to improve. <br /> <br /> Being crew at a PD event is, much like the hobby of LRP itself, an entirely co-operative game; the more you do to help everyone else do what they’re doing, the easier things will be when it’s your turn. While PD has by necessity had to expand and have more specialized teams, this remains the core philosophy of the Red Hats and I think it’s still a vital part of how we run games. I hope we can continue to deliver that attitude and support the teams who do the really cool stuff.<br /> <br /> ==Won't Somebody Think of the Orphans?==<br /> * ''During events Liam Spinage is busy as one-half of the Urizen egregore. Between events, in addition to moderating the Urizen player Facebook group, he's part of the player support team with special responsibility for reading and approving backgrounds - he also occasionally writes IC Empire novels. Here he's talking about player backgrounds (which you can learn more about on the [[Background|background]] page).<br /> As well as being an Egregore and moderator for my nation Facebook group, I read all the backgrounds for characters and groups submitted to PD.<br /> <br /> Usually this takes up one evening a week, every week, over the summer – there are often a few hundred new backgrounds to read between events as new players come on board and old ones create new characters after their previous ones have met some grisly/tragic/glorious/heroic demise.<br /> <br /> Between Event 4 and the New Year I give myself a little rest (by ‘rest’ I mean ‘write Empire fic’) and then start looking at newly submitted backgrounds again ready for Event 1.<br /> <br /> I mostly look for two things in backgrounds. Firstly, there are a number of tags I can add to a character which helps flag them up to the plot team.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Liam Spinage.jpg|caption=Liam Spinage|title=You'd think he'd be into gin, but mostly it seems to be vodka.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> '''Who are you?'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Is your character a criminal or heretic? There are plenty of ways this information can come to light in the game world, even if those acts are in your dim and distant past. Are you medic, military, messenger, militia? These are all elements we can flag to our plot team.<br /> <br /> '''What do you want?'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Do you seek the boons of a specific Eternal, or have a particular axe to grind with one of the Empire’s many enemies? Are you interested in heroics, politics, theatrics, economics? Our plot team can search on all these tags which helps them to formulate and direct plot.<br /> <br /> The other thing I keep an eye out for are elements in backstory which don’t fit with the setting of Empire. There are some submissions we reject, or ask for clarification on but these tend to be few and far between. You can’t come from a foreign land that isn’t on the map, you can’t be a death knight, your fleet can’t be a yellow submarine. <br /> <br /> We encourage you to look at the nation brief for your chosen nation before you submit a background; pay attention to its traditions, naming conventions, archetypes and you’ll fit into your chosen nation better and have a more fun event for it.<br /> <br /> I’ve seen all sorts of backgrounds since we started – some tragic, some inspiring, some less so. That’s OK – what defines you as a character is what you do at Anvil and going forward. Backgrounds are there to give you a reminder of who you are as much as your nation, lineage and skill choices do. They’re a good springboard for your interactions with others as well as for our plot team to look over.<br /> <br /> And yes, there are a lot of orphans out there. The world is a harsh place.<br /> <br /> ==I'd Have Done Mine But==<br /> * ''Harry Harrold has been doing Profound Decision games since before it was popular. You may remember him from a number of roles including spending all his time in an arena asking if the gods were entertained at the top of his voice. Right now he plays John of Meade, who along with Amy Woodhead fulfills the complex role of [[Speaker for the Senate]]. In response to repeated requests to write something, he instead provided a list of excuses as to why he couldn't do them.''<br /> I'd have done mine, but I had to drink cocktails instead. <br /> <br /> I'd have done the paperwork by now, but these cushions won't sit on themselves you know... <br /> <br /> I'd go to over-the-hedge meetings with the constitutional court, but Amy Woodhead can still be bribed with rhubarb gin to go in my place. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine, but I finish work at 11pm, then we go to the bar. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=John of Meade.jpg|caption=Harry Harrold|title=He means it about the cookery competitions.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> I'd have done some writing, but it's more fun helping citizens navigate their way round our procedures to get shit done... and managing their expectations, so when they *do* get excited about doing something, it's less likely to fail for some logistical reason beyond their control. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine, but my &quot;characterisation&quot; is just a minimum facade to cover what's really a purely logistical role - most of the time, anyway. I mean, I've been known to take unscheduled breaks to play foot-the-ball, and you can't play foot-the-ball and do paperwork at the same time - not even when you're on wide defense - unless the ball has got in the tavern somehow. In which case it's dead until removed, which only happens by mutual agreement of both team captains and at least one priest. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine but I was on my way to or from the Senate building. I'm very happy with the current site layout, which puts the Academy, the Hub and decent toilets within 50 metres of each other. With five trips to the Senate, that's pretty much my weekend sorted. <br /> <br /> I've run out of excuses it seems. Amy Woodhead and I are [[Speaker for the Senate|Speakers for the Senate]]. We're responsible for holding the coats while the politicians fight it out. Most of that game is out in the field, in constantly changing teams of hundreds. We're there to keep the score, when voting happens at Senate sessions, and keep accurate paperwork. We're also there to manage Senate sessions so they're as dramatic as possible for folk who aren't *specifically* involved. And run to time. We are also unbribeable, with all donations going on a spreadsheet, for the amusement of those the players keen enough to read the whole wiki. (''They are also entered in the [[Register of civil service gifts]] - Raff'')<br /> <br /> John Of Meade is also available to judge cookery competitions.<br /> <br /> ==Exhausting But Worth It==<br /> * ''Robin Tynan is a hard-working Blue Cap, part of the [[Referee#GOD|GOD]] team who deal with admin and general queries. They've written about what their event entails, and about some of the less obvious tasks Blue Caps can end up doing.''<br /> Hi I’m Robin! I’ve been playing PD events since 2008 but only jumped the fence to crewing at the start of this year. Now I have four events of being in GOD under my belt and I love it!<br /> <br /> Other than maybe a quick bit of Skype training with Waz (the boss) if there’s been any changes to the database, my Event starts on Thursday morning.<br /> <br /> As soon as we arrive it’s work time. The Red Caps will have the tent up and most of the electrics in by then, but it’s our job to make sure the computers are set up, plugged in and working, get the player pack boxes out, and get all the other bits and bobs needed to run an event in place and organised. We may also spend some time getting last minute plot documents, ribbons or items into people’s players packs as well as getting those last packs printed, packed and into the right boxes. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Ezra.png|caption=Robin Tynan|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Thursday’s are pretty busy but we have a good laugh doing it - the stereo is on and we have a good energy going. Well sort of keeping us going. I am one of the many members of crew who has a disability and there are times when I need to rest. I usually have to take a nap mid afternoon, but that means I am free and able to get on the front desk if we open up on Thursday evening. Waz and the rest of the senior GOD members are lovely and understand that we have to look after ourselves if we want to be a functional team. <br /> <br /> We usually don’t stay in GOD until late on Thursday as we are saving ourselves for the next day. I’m usually out of GOD by 9pm and have a little time to socialise before getting an early night as I know I’ll need my energy for the weekend to come!<br /> <br /> Friday sees us all in GOD by 9:30 after the heads of department have had their meeting. This gives me time to have breakfast, coffee (I love the coffee stand so much) and say hi to friends before getting to work. Friday mornings are all about last minute training and brushing up on odd queries as well as the inevitable last minute player packs. Waz and his deputies will decide what tasks we are going to be on for the day and check our rotas with us. Then I’ll scurry off for a quick snack and cup of tea, or to make sure we have everything we need before 12. At 11:55 we’ll all be in our places running through our personal checklists (where’s my pen? Did I take my meds? Have I got time to run to the loo?) before the tent doors open to players.<br /> <br /> I usually start on the Concessions desk - it lets me sit down so I don’t end up too exhausted or in pain. I’ll spend a frantic couple of hours there checking your IDs and handing out player packs. I absolutely love seeing you all come through, getting to meet you and hopefully sorting out any problems. <br /> Then it’s 2pm and we close for lunch and a well needed break. I don’t know about the others but I get super dehydrated - all that talking, laughter and my water bottle always runs out. So now is time for lunch, maybe a quick nap and rehydrate. Once self care is dealt with it’s back to printing out and filling any new player packs from gate bookings and checking everything is still working smoothly. <br /> <br /> Then we open again at 4pm. We are open then from 4pm until 1am and it is pretty none stop for the entire time. We do get breaks for dinner of course and it’s nice to stretch my legs and see everybody getting ready to go time in. I’ll still be on the concession desk for this period and the enthusiasm of players is fantastic. Later in the evening we will all have some time in the rota off which we can use to go IC if we want. I generally have mine organised so I can head to bed at 11pm - it just suits my health best that way though I am sometimes tempted to kit up and head onto the field. <br /> <br /> Saturday morning is another 9:30am start getting ready to open at 10am. At this point I am starting to feel it! The main rush for player packs has eased up by now so though I am still sat at the same computer, as well as sorting out concession player packs I will also start taking general enquiries which can be anything from bonding an item to sorting out a gate payment to doing some exciting magic for you. A lot of the time it can be uncertain if a question we get is something we can help with as GOD or if it requires a Ref or member of plot. I’ll always do my best to help but if you see me looking properly confused it’s probably because it’s something I need to refer to a Ref. <br /> <br /> Saturday morning also brings with it a slew of players who sadly lost their character in battle. As well as the admin of activating a new character or helping with character creation I also like to take the time to chat to every player. Pretty much everybody in GOD has had a character die at some point and we know it can feel a bit crap. We also know it can be awesome and the source of amazing roleplay and stories. I always like to find out how characters died and do my best to make it a good death for players, especially those with less LARP experience.<br /> <br /> At some point on Saturday I get time to kit up and head on to the field to play (after another nap probably). This is always great fun. GOD crew have proper player characters but because of the time we spend in GOD and the access we have to back-of-house stuff we have some restrictions on what we can do - we don’t hold imperial titles and priests can’t have congregations (because it throws off the synod votes). But that doesn’t mean I can’t really get into the game and have some fun with my group in Highguard.<br /> <br /> After some dinner I am usually back in GOD for the evening until we close for the night at 1am. Because we are the easy OC point of contact for players we often act as a kind of “triage” for player questions. Most of the questions players have are GOD related and we can help with right away but there are times when we may need to refer you to other departments such as the ref team, player welfare, monster or accessibility. No matter what time is it I am always happy to talk to a player or even crew member and see how we can help them. It keeps the job interesting and varied. <br /> <br /> By Saturday night I am normally tired and aching but things slow down a little - the camaraderie of the rest of GOD always keeps me going until we close. We spend a little bit of time shutting down computers and tidying up before it’s off to bed.<br /> <br /> Sunday is another 9:30 start and much as the previous day I fire up a computer and get started with general enquiries - after breakfast and coffee of course. We start the wind down early on Sundays and I might start the day with breaking down unclaimed character packs or filing away things that haven’t been used that event. We get busy post battle, and again I always try and take time to chat to those players who have lost a character.<br /> <br /> At some point on Sunday as players start to pack down their camps we get resources being handed in. There is usually a team member or two supervising the hand-ins and then myself and another team member will start to log them all into the system. It’s slow at first with time to answer other enquiries but as the day goes on my focus is entirely on booking in resources. Once time out is called, we have a quick break for a team meeting which is always lovely, but then it’s straight back to the hand in baggies! All-in-all I may be working solely on those hand-ins from 11am until 5pm. We aim to have as much of GOD packed away and ready to go to storage by 5pm (give or take) so it’s all hands on deck to get that done. <br /> <br /> Then we say our goodbyes.<br /> <br /> I stay on site that night for a crew meal and to catch up with friends (plus my partner is a redcap and there until Monday) and get some well deserved rest until the next event. It’s exhausting but totally worth it.<br /> <br /> ==Security APPROVED==<br /> * ''Sandy has been part of the security team for two years; she helps keep us safe while we sleep (among other jobs).''<br /> Hi, I’m Sandy from the security team, and here is my account of what we do at events (naturally, all sensitive information has been redacted ;-) ).<br /> <br /> We are on duty every night of the event from 1am until 8.30 to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. On Thursday, it’s just our team: [NAME REDACTED] known as “The Boss” and [NAMES REDACTED] known as “The Minions”. The best place to find us is the crew welfare hut located between GOD and Monster; even when we’re out on patrol, we regularly return there. On Friday and Saturday nights we are joined by the lovely first aiders. While we roam around, they stay in their warm little home by GOD, so if you need help, head straight there and they will summon us.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cherry Matcham.jpg|caption=Sandy Wragg|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Our shift starts at [BAR NAME REDACTED] where we help the staff to close down for the night. Then we proceed to the welfare hut for a nice hot brew to get us ready for the first patrol. And then we walk, and walk, and walk some more, returning to the hut from time to time for more caffeine and sugar. The site is really big now - it stretches all the way from [FIELD NAME REDACTED] to [LAKE NAME REDACTED] - and we visit each area at least twice during the night. <br /> <br /> What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). In my two years with the team, we dealt with anything from first aid incidents to tent troubles to overflowing showers. Sometimes, more serious things happen; other times, nothing at all. <br /> <br /> Our main concern are the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important job requirement.<br /> <br /> What I like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. People often talk about sounds and smells of Anvil - to me it sounds like gentle noises of sleeping people, and smells like fresh grass in the morning. A night in Anvil is a very peaceful, relaxing time (well, once partying is over). The nature is amazing too: falling stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest...<br /> <br /> My favourite bit is when, just after sunrise, we visit [CAMP NAME REDACTED] and put their lanterns out. The sun comes into the forest much later than to the rest of the field so, while there may be light outside, here the night magic still lingers...<br /> <br /> ==The Secret Life of Bog Otters==<br /> * ''Ben Stevens heads up the hygeine team at Empire. As he says... no toilets means no event.''<br /> The Bog Otter, in it's native habitat, can be frequently observed utilising tools, such as the plunger...okay enough of that. The hygiene team is one of the less desirable yet critically important jobs on the field. <br /> <br /> As no toilets of course, means no event.<br /> <br /> The sight of us running around, plunger in blue stained hands, shouting about “brown trout” is a fairly rare one and the better things are going, the less of us you'll actually see. The job is a bit like an iceberg, with most of the stuff happening quietly behind the scenes, with a lot of prep before, a fair bit of upkeep during and then a bunch of clearing up afterwards.<br /> .{{CaptionedImage|file=BenStevens.jpg |align=right|width=300|caption=Ben Stevens|title=Without the bog otters... no event.}}<br /> My event starts about 3 or 4 weeks before the actual start date, at the crew prep weekends. This is where the deep cleaning and major repairs, such as boiler replacement, pump servicing and such like go on. It allows us to try to stay on top of the inevitable wear and tear that 2000 odd bottoms will do to the toilets!<br /> Then it's a case of showing up on Wednesday or Thursday to actually get them operating. Running power to them, filling up the waste tank with water n blue and stocking the consumables.<br /> <br /> The actual event is a bit more hectic, with an 8.30 start to go pump out the tanks before time in and refill them with fresh water n chem, so that they are fresh for time in. This is also when any tools, consumables and spare parts get ordered every day, to make sure we don't run out of the vital stuff. Then during the day it's half a dozen at minimum checks on the stock levels, making sure the secret storage boxes are loaded and ready and bins emptied. Plus making sure the bogs are reasonably clean, making sure the showers storage tanks have water along with gas for the boilers, as well as filling the tanks to refill the toilets the next day.<br /> And of course, any repairs or emergencies that need to be dealt with.<br /> <br /> Then on Sunday around 5, all of those nice hire blocks need to be cleaned down so that we can return them in the condition we received them in.<br /> This takes me and three others about 3 hours to do, then we can finally relax and have a shower. But, it's not all over yet!<br /> <br /> Before I leave on Monday, all of the storage tanks need to be emptied from the toilets and replaced with clean water. All tools and stock boxes collected, all bins emptied n put away, power disconnected and the main storage cabin tidied Then, in the evening I get to go home and rest my weary little otter head.<br /> <br /> So there you have it, an insight into the very literal PD “S**t job” but someone really does have to do it.<br /> <br /> And oddly, I'm happy for it to be me as there is always something new to learn and something (often gross) to discover.<br /> <br /> Certainly beats a desk job!<br /> <br /> ==Weekend in the Life==<br /> * ''This piece was written by Jonathon Cooper, a fairly new ref, after the Autumn Equinox 382YE. It recounts a day in the life of a (fairly new) ref.''<br /> I started reffing two events ago, having been a player for 3 years. Normally refs focus on either field reffing or skirmish and battle reffing, but having just started I've recently experienced all three, so I thought I'd write about it.<br /> <br /> Getting to site, I check in with Emma and set up my tent, then head to GOD to get my tools of the trade ready. Printing off and guillotining my Signs and Portents pack, checking out my radio and tablet and making sure I have my notebook (essential for writing down details of rituals and bondings in places the wifi doesn't reach) and picking up traumatic wounds. After that I hit the field before time in to catch up with friends. After time in it's difficult to interact with people socially, being an incorporeal part of the fabric of reality, so I really value the time I get to spend with them while timed out.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Jonathon Cooper.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Jonathon Cooper}}<br /> '''Field Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> After time in I start doing what I spend most of my weekend doing - field reffing. I head to the regio and gate, expecting there to be people who need rituals processed and items bonded before they go on their first skirmishes, and sure enough there are many. After clearing that backlog I start walking the field. After checking things are under control at the regio, I set off on my chosen route through Urizen and the Brass Coast to Dawn and Wintermark, through the back alley to Navarr and the Imperial Orcs, then turn around and do the same again, being available for people to grab me if they need me. This role involves a lot of walking. Interspersed with that are calls over the radio for free refs to process things, such as a Signs and Portents party, or (my favourite) reffing a cursing.<br /> <br /> '''Battle Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> On Saturday instead of going to the field I head straight to monster where the battle refs are mustering. For battles we need more refs than the crew ref team can handle, so some players put on tabards to help out. We're briefed on any special rules for the battlefield, what the player objectives are and any information we've been given from players and monsters on what they're planning, which players and monsters have mass effect rituals, etc, all so we can make good decisions about where to be, where crushes might appear and how to resolve them. The refs and medics then do a battlefield walk together to make sure everyone knows the likely locations for fighting, and we look for specific hazards and how we plan to handle them. Saturday's battle was almost entirely on the field, so this was simple and brief, but on Sunday we had a much more in-depth inspection of the woods and fort area, planning how we'd handle fighting around the fort and ensuring we all knew the landmarks to describe our location if we needed to summon a medic, since navigation is harder in the woods.<br /> <br /> This battle had two miasma pillars, and I volunteered to handle one, standing nearby and calling out the effect to people that strayed too near. Once the battle moved off from my pillar I joined the other refs watching the battle lines, making sure fallen people aren't stepped on, ensuring rules are followed properly and handling Man Downs (none for me today thankfully). I also spent some time checking in on fallen players, letting them know the terminal rules and that they're doing ok OC.<br /> <br /> After the battlefield is timed out the refs gather and we have a debrief, talking about what went well and what could have gone better as a ref team, and raising any specific problems.<br /> <br /> '''Skirmish Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Saturday afternoon I'd asked to ref some skirmishes. We have two concurrent skirmish teams going and I joined the team working in the woods. We'd start by finding our plot writer, get the briefing and any special conditions we need to be aware of. We ask how the skirmish is expected to go, and also plan for what should happen if things don't go as planned - I didn't expect a fight to kick off between summer heralds and players on the senate floor, but you have to be prepared for if it does! The skirmish and plot crew get themselves kitted up and ready, then one ref heads to the gate to meet the players while everyone else set up in the woods. The players open the gate and then we take them to the woods entrance, and the skirmish happens. As refs we then stand back and handle safety, rules and the occasional Man Down, while the skirmish unfolds as played out by the NPC crew and players, though sometimes we need to step in to give briefings for specific events such as rituals. I can't go in to too many details about happenings on quests, but highlights from this event were some highly entertaining exorcisms and some players encountering their ancestors.<br /> <br /> Each team runs a quest every 30 minutes, each lasting 20 minutes, so after we finish one we get a short break, then we start the cycle again. Time to track down a plot writer...<br /> <br /> ==She Doesn't Even Go Here==<br /> * ''Clare Evans is an old hand at Profound Decisions and the second member of the Game Team to write about the Autumn Equinox event. She has a lot of responsibilities which come roughly together under the heading of &quot;Player Support&quot; - organising the egregores, civil servants, Academy, and Three Refrains; heading up the New Player team; and working with the Conduct team among other jobs.''<br /> “You should do one yourself” <br /> <br /> My first thought was that would give the secret away and everyone would know that I mostly drink tea and gossip at events. So between events I answer emails to the new player email address, the backgrounds address and by PM. These are mostly directing people to the most helpful area of the wiki, helping them with confidence to come to the event, helping with backgrounds and answering the strangest most unpredictable questions about life in the Empire you can think of. I exist in a permanent guilt bubble about not answering these fast enough as my real life job takes a lot of my time. I also plan schedules for player support events before time in, sweet talk people into field NPC roles and take part in conduct meetings and decisions. I also try to post on the Empire LRP and Player Support pages highlighting parts of the game and wiki that would be good to read and brush up on the rules/style of the game. Then there’s finalising crew levels and requirements for them from GOD and admin. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=ClareEvans.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Clare Evans|title=Our glorious leader.}}<br /> Every Wednesday there’s a Skype meeting which covers everything from tiny rules change details, to battle numbers, to ethical decisions about how we run our game. <br /> <br /> I also try and manage the field NPC kit and prop needs. <br /> <br /> The week before the event I finalise the Player Support for the event and post it online. I make sure everyone has the kit and props they need. Check that Dave is ok to print briefs for the egregores, bards and civil service. Pack the van and go to work for the week. Wednesday night I go to Als, make sure I’ve answered all the emails I can before the event and drink rum. <br /> <br /> Thursday morning I go to site via a shop to buy cherry coke and as many lollipops as possible to keep people quiet in the new player meetings. Then there’s a big breakfast and a quick psyche up session before getting to site. <br /> <br /> I check in with Andy, Matt and Graeme, talk to as many of my team as possible and distribute meal tickets to them as I see them. Thursday evening my team and I meet outside the Senate building and talk to everyone we can find who looks like they might be new, might need company or otherwise doesn’t move fast enough to get away from us. Usually at this point I find someone who’s at their first event alone and take them off to meet people. <br /> <br /> Friday morning starts with tea and the Heads of Department meeting in GOD where we get a general overview of how things are going and anything to be aware of over the weekend. I don’t usually have much to add at this point as I’ve not really started. <br /> <br /> I then move all my things about to the correct places, get stuff down to the Hub, talk to anyone I see from the night before and get a pep talk about it being ok. <br /> <br /> The new player meetings start at 2 and we run two of them most events. Friday then disappears into a blur of being reassuring, excited about all the new people about to have their first event and checking the other scheduled events go off ok. We’ve been running more and more each event nd I’m really excited about how it’s all developing. Last event I went to the start of the Public Speaking Class, ran a new player meeting, checked on the skirmish and then ran a second meeting. When time in hits I’m trying to rush all my OC stuff off the field to be out of the way of the Hub.<br /> <br /> There’s a few things I have to be in set places for during the event and around them I walk and talk and answer radio calls. At 9 am Saturday and Sunday the field NPCs, Matt, Andy, Graeme and any plot writers who want to have a meeting. It’s like chairing a meeting of cats, who wander off, don’t listen, get distracted and turn up late. We are pretty good at keeping it to half an hour – ish! This is where field staff get to feedback what’s happening and if plot is hitting or missing and any queries or concerns. I make a list during this and that details most of what I do that day. <br /> <br /> I always make sure I’m at both gate openings to liaise with Emma and Tom and the egregores to make sure the gate opens at 11 on the dot! Then the team who aren’t on the battle go for breakfast together and scoop up any loitering players and take them too. If there’s anything big happening which I think might be a bit contentious for any reason I try to be in the background to offer back up to the NPCs and help any players who might need it. <br /> <br /> I try to do a couple of circuits of the field every day to see what’s happening and stop to talk to anyone I recognise from the New Player Meetings and my team. <br /> <br /> I swing through the Hub and try and help with any problems they’re having. Sometimes I remember to drop into the box and catch up with Matt, Andy and Graeme. <br /> <br /> At dusk I try to be sat on the box outside the Imperial Orc camp to watch the lights of Anvil come on, that’s’ straight up just for me, it’s the moment I get to look at our living breathing town and be smug about what we’ve achieved. <br /> <br /> At any point during this I might get a radio call to summon me across site, I get called for all the odd and weird stuff, flooded tents, plot queries that need a person to investigate backstage, dead or alive queries for egregores, can they really do this queries from egregores, helping people get involved in the game, helping people after character death, talking people through IC problems and helping them realise that they aren’t as bad as they first seemed. <br /> <br /> I also am on call to Emma to help with conduct queries. <br /> <br /> Basically I kind of do nothing and everything. Sometimes I remember to eat. Sometimes it’s really hard and I wonder why I volunteered to do it all. But when I see someone who was extra nervous at the first event come back again and love it or people show me how much they’ve done since they started coming, or show me what they’ve made or tell me their adventures or are too busy to talk to me because they’re throwing it all at the game it’s the best feeling.<br /> <br /> ==It Would Help If Players Stayed In One Place==<br /> * ''This is a short piece written by Kit Armstrong-Gardner, one of our NPC Crew, after the Autumn Equinox. In reality, there's several departments that come under the very broad heading of &quot;NPC Crew&quot; - but usually when we say talk about NPC crew specifically we mean people who play assorted roles over the course of a weekend in collusion with plot writers. They spend a lot of their time on the field at Anvil... looking for the right player-characters.''<br /> Hi I'm Kit, one of your friendly NPC crew. Different to skirmish in that we ''probably'' aren't trying to kill you. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Kit.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=Kit Armstrong-Gardner}}<br /> What I do at empire starts usually a couple weeks before hand, on the NPC crew Facebook, where our wonderful plot writers start putting up short snippets of plots or roles they need going out into the field at the next event, that might need the NPC to familiarise themselves with a complex brief or a section of the wiki. I usually check in the writer with whom I have a recurring NPC as to how much they're likely to need me on field before I sign up to any precast roles, and ensure I only sign up to roles at times that NPC isn't needed. <br /> <br /> A few days before the event I write out my schedule, check in with any writers that I haven't had briefs from etc to get everything straight. <br /> <br /> On the actual Friday of the event, there is an NPC briefing at 4pm where the main information we need to know for the weekend is given out (well, as I understand it. Being a teacher in my real life means I've yet to make it on site by 4pm...). Then it's final briefs and getting kitted up for any roles that need to role out ready for time in, consulting Beth Charlton's magical board of plot to see if anything needs filling if not in a precast role. <br /> <br /> The rest of the weekend is spent between the encounter tents, skirmish field and Anvil being a variety of people and things for players to poke, question, interact, annoy and make deals with. After each role I return to the monster tent to complain about players being impossible to find, be shouted at by Beth to eat something and most importantly write my debrief. This is electronic, and how we are able to let plot writers have a record of what we did, who we spoke to, and what ramifications we think it might have on their plot as currently written. <br /> <br /> Roles I have played range from reccuring Heralds, to thug number three, but all of them are designed to enrich you as players games and push plots forward. I am often out on plot from time in to 10/11 at night each night, and time out on Sunday. I can play upwards of 10 roles a weekend if it's a particularly plot heavy event. I circle Anvil more times than my body can realistically handle, and I love every second that is interacting with players! <br /> <br /> But it would be much easier if you all stayed put!<br /> <br /> ==Reffing Empire==<br /> * ''David James has been reffing Profound Decisions events for longer than anyone can remember. Indeed, he was there at the first ever rules meeting where the earliest attempt at the Empire rules set was made. Here he talks about what he does as an Empire [[referee]]. You can learn more about what it takes to become an Empire ref [[Current_crewing_opportunities#Referees_.286_spaces.29|here]] - from what I understand it is somewhat different to the role played in some other fest LRP systems.<br /> '''Introduction'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Afternoon everyone, as part of this ongoing series on behind the scenes looks I'm going to present at least part of the ref perspective. I've been reffing for PD on and off since about 2007 and hope to supply some insight into how reffing works at Empire and how that differs from previous games.<br /> <br /> '''Overview'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> One big difference between Maelstrom and Empire is the organisation of the ref teams - we never had more than about half a dozen at Maelstrom, often only 3 or 4 and we all tended to cover all roles. At Empire the overall team is much larger - around 10-12 depending on attendance. There are also more tightly defined roles - skirmish, field and desk, though people tend to jump to what's required when there's a shortage in one area. I’ll also mention at this point we’re often short handed and would love to pick up some more crew refs. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=DavidJames.png|align=right|width=300|caption=David James|title=I have no idea what is going on in this picture.}}<br /> I've mostly done field and desk jobs in my time on the team so this won't really cover battle and skirmish reffing but I'm reliably informed that there's one of these coming from one of the fine folks on that topic.<br /> <br /> '''Rules design and principle'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Before I get into the day to day task, I'd like to say a few words on rules designs and reffing principles. One thing that's very important in a game of this scale is that everyone gets the same treatment as far as rules go - from the newest player to the Empress or a Triumvir bringing an NPC onto the field. As such the rules aim to be clear and definitive with little room for interpretation and one of the tasks of a ref is to aim to keep this true by not allowing effects onto the field that require that kind of interpretation or break one of the basic rules principles. You may have heard of the of the principle of &quot;Rulings not Rules&quot; applied to tabletop roleplaying games, but here the opposite needs to be in effect to ensure fair treatment for all participants.<br /> <br /> This is also why you'll often see a ref call the desk for clarification - we don't want rules calls to be inconsistent, so we'll push the request up to either Emma (our formidable Head Ref) or one of the Triumvirs depending on the nature of the query. This means we don't have the same kind of free-form experimentation that we saw at Maelstrom, but this game isn't really about that and it means you can be confident that if you get a call, you'll get the same one next time - and so will your rivals.<br /> <br /> '''Between events'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Unlike a lot of the teams, the work of the Ref is almost completely limited to time-in. We don't handle rules queries directly - in accordance with the above principles they get handled by Graeme or Emma. We do have facebook group where we discuss the odd rules topic but mostly engagement is limited to a couple of days beforehand where we volunteer to ref for specific encounters.<br /> <br /> '''Arrival and briefing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Set up for the ref desks is fairly straightforward - everything gets packed down at the end of the event and the snakes nest of laptops, tablets and chargers are re-deployed in the vain hope that this time this time they'll all still be working at the end of the event. There's a ref briefing on the Friday afternoon covering any plots needing refs and any important rules or safety information but there's little else formal to do - time is spent helping with other set up, making up Traumatic Wound lammies and double checking there are no outstanding issues from last event. Doug helps with the New Player orientation and it's fairly common to walk the site to re-familiarise yourself with the layout, you'll often be getting direction to a tent somewhere in the dark woods so it pays to keep up to date.<br /> <br /> '''On the Field'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> After time in is when we really go on shift. We head out with tablets, radios and bags full of Traumatic Wounds and visions and await player requests. There can often be long periods where we just patrol without being needed then bursts where all hands are needed on deck, inevitable as a result of the reactive nature of what we try to do. The aim is to be visible without being obtrusive so we can be easily found when needed but easily ignored when not. This is kind of a synthesis of the Maelstrom and Odyssey approaches - at Maelstrom we were in bright hi-vis, clearly OOC intrusions into the game world whereas at Odyssey the Drowned Dead existed as IC entities. Both approaches had problems - the glaring OCness of one led to immersion breaking whereas the IC nature of the other led people who needed refs for IC nefariousness avoiding them in case it fed back IC.<br /> <br /> The field tends to be pretty quiet so if you need a ref and there's one wandering past they may be just racking up their Fitbit high score so feel free to approach them, they'll be able to summon another for you if they are on some other task.<br /> <br /> '''At the Regio'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> While we do get requests to ref rituals elsewhere on the field, the real magical action is at the Regio. I enjoy taking shifts there - there's a constant flow of players and cool roleplay going on (as well as a nice dry chair and the chance to spook people with the SFX). Chasing off after a curse laden player aiming to throw a Pronouncement of Doom is always a highlight, particularly when the ritualist has got several on them...<br /> <br /> '''Behind the Desk'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Partly a nerve centre, partly somewhere to put your feet up after getting that high score, the desk acts as second line support for GOD and a way for refs who are out of tablet battery or connectivity to get player actions processed while out in the field. During quiet periods it's also where we dream up new and unusual trama to add to the decks.<br /> <br /> '''Supporting Plot'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Whether in encounter tents or on the field many plots require a ref presence to communicate unusual effects or to ensure that rules are being followed in the high-intensity situations that sweep after the various denizens of the world of Empire that Plot send out. The job here is to be available but out of the way, which can be tricky in the smaller encounter tents! Ideally here you don't have to do anything other than be present and shuttle the players too and from from the Sentinel Gate for off-field encounters - and we typically manage that - but the disruption inherent in needing a ref when there isn't one means ensuring that these always have someone assigned. The opportunity to help facilitate the more elaborate experiences of the game make this a fulfilling way to spend a couple of hours every event.<br /> <br /> '''Debrief'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Inevitably there are issues arising every event, from IT failures meaning that we need to take player details for rituals or ceremonies down by hand to seeing the impact of rule changes in action and whether these are having the desired effect so we dump all this into a document that gets reviewed at event end and between to make sure we're on top of it all - this then sparks the discussions that lead us back to next events preparations.<br /> <br /> '''Hunt for &quot;Some Ref&quot;'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> I hope that's given you all some insight into what Refs do and why, and so I'd like to ask for some help finding a rogue. We from time to time hear that &quot;Some Ref&quot; told a player that they didn't have to fall down from being hit by STRIKEDOWN, or that they could just ignore roleplay effects they didn't like or similar japery. This nefarious devil clearly needs to be caught so we are offering a reward for information leading to their capture. (The reward is lammies) (The lammies are Traumatic Wounds)<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Graeme2.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Graeme W. Jamieson|title=Fails to mention the barely diluted orange drink he supplies.}}<br /> <br /> ==Graeme's Event Cycle==<br /> * '''''Graeme W. Jamieson''' is a senior member of the game team. Of the four of us, Graeme is usually the one who spends the most time on the field IC providing &quot;clarity&quot; to various people, usually in the Military Council and the Senate. He is also &quot;the Numbers and Strategy Guy&quot; in our particular event heist team, and has the strongest grasp of the actual Rules of the Game.<br /> '''PROLOGUE'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> My event starts several weeks before the actual event. This is when Matt will close downtime. At this point, we take the data of what everyone has done at the event, where the armies are fighting, what enchantments and curses are relevant, process them all through one big spreadsheet, and use cold hard logic to decide who wins each fight. This then gets passed to Andy, who turns my unfeeling numbers into wonderous prose for players to enjoy.<br /> <br /> Next major event is 1-2 weeks in advance. This is when we'll start looking at the Arcane Projections for the event. These vary from the ingenious to the... less ingenious (&quot;I'd like to turn Navarr into a Trifle!&quot;), and take between 5 minutes and an hour each depending on complexity. Average is about 15 minutes I think, and for the last event we had 90 (Though that's the final number, at this point we'll probably have about 60-70)<br /> <br /> On the Wednesday of the week before the event, I'll download my google docs with all the data we've been working on, stick it on my laptop, and get ready to leave the next morning.<br /> <br /> '''THURSDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> One sleep and a 7 hour car drive later, I'm now in a field, and it's mid-afternoon Thursday. At this point I'll start processing data frantically, with the following priorities:<br /> <br /> # Arcane Projections - Any APs that we've put aside to discuss or that have been submitted since the last check are now due. These need to to go GOD to be handed out, so this is crucial to cause them as few issues as possible. This includes any that we are failing, which need to have details on why we're failing them. This is then signed off for Matt to manually add compassion for failures.<br /> # Army Locations and Force Strength - Casualties and resupply and anything else we might have missed are checked, and the data is then move from the spreadsheet to the Database, so that Matt can spit out the army reports<br /> # Fort and Contested Territory progress - This is new, but needs updated at this point.<br /> # The Imperial Treasury - I now process the Imperial Accounts, applying any changes to Taxation, Costs, income, validating to motions which were passed to give out funds or abrogate Imperial Stuff. This spits out the bottom line of the Budget for the Senate, and a complete set of accounts for the Master of the Mint.<br /> # Eyes - I now go about finalising the Eyes data for scrying results upon the Empire. This covers: Shrouds that are in place; and the results of the Rituals Eye of the High Places; Eyes of the Sun and Moon; and Dreams in the Witch House. This is then saved off for Andy to add Flavour and to verify there's not any relevant plot effects we've missed.<br /> # Battle Options - I now sign off on and format the Battles options that Tom has written. These will have been being worked on for some time, but this is the final check.<br /> # Compile General's Reports - The 3 reports for generals are then compiled into a pack for each individual general. If I'm really lucky I'll remember the Scouting Report for the Scouting Army.<br /> <br /> '''FRIDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> At this point, it's now magically about 5pm on Friday, if I'm lucky, and 7pm if I'm not. I might have squeezed in a meeting with the Refs in there, but probably not, as I am the worst. No doubt a number of weird and wonderful crises will have also passed through The Cave as well, but they're now all dealt with.<br /> <br /> I'll now kit up, grab my paperwork, and go in character as Auditor of the Imperial Treasury Gerard La Salle. I'll spend until 8pm in the Hub, sticking my nose into stuff and providing &quot;clarity&quot; where needed.<br /> <br /> At 8pm, I'll head in to the Military Council. I'm hear to answer any questions around the options and the campaign that are mechanical in nature, and to provide senior game team support. They'll spend a good amount of time debating the options, and will choose who will go when, and where they will be going.<br /> <br /> As soon as they've made that choice, I'll leave that meeting and head to Senate. Senate Starts at 10 on Friday, and if I'm lucky I'll again make it there for the start. Again, I'm there to provide &quot;clarity&quot; where needed, and to provide senior game team support.<br /> <br /> Senate will end, I'll attempt to find the Master of the Mint and arrange with them what time they would like their meeting at. I'll now crawl back to The Cave, where we'll discuss what's happened throughout the day, and any issues arising from MC or Senate.<br /> <br /> At some point, I'll go to bed.<br /> <br /> '''SATURDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Saturday will dawn, and I'll get up, and feel a brief moment of joy that I'm not longer working through the night on Arcane Projections.<br /> <br /> At 9am, I'll head to Clare's Field NPC meeting, where we catch up with the Civil Servants, Egregores, Academy, and the Bards.<br /> <br /> At 10:30, I'll head over to the Monster Reception Station (where player monsters check in before the Battle - Raff), where Thomas, Mark, and I will agree the exact cutoff point for accepting players. Everyone after half past 10 is late, but we need to agree when is &quot;Late! Go Go Go!&quot; and when is &quot;I'm sorry, you're too late&quot;. Event 4 was the first time with me doing this personally, which is a change we made as we are at this point disappointing player who've wanted to Monster the battle, but turned up too late to be able to do so, and so we felt it should be someone from the senior game team to do so.<br /> <br /> Once that's done (Around 11ish), I'll have nothing planned until about half 12, so I'll either have breakfast, catch up on issues outstanding, or head to my meeting with the MoM if they wanted it in that time.<br /> <br /> At about half 12, I'll sit in a take reports from refs on the battles. This is from volunteer players making reports of serious incidents on the battles, either where they've had to talk to a player and dealt with it (which just gets noted, in case we can use it to spot a pattern of bad behaviour versus a one off occurrence), or more serious instances which need followed up on (often where they've spoken to the player and received abuse in response).<br /> <br /> I want to take a short interlude to talk about that. It's something that's worrying me quite a lot, and that's people hurling abuse at volunteers on battlefields. This isn't acceptable. I spend this hour on each of the Saturday and Sunday taking in reports so that we can try and combat this post event. It's not exactly the high point of my weekend.<br /> <br /> We'll also have the results of the battle, which I'll try and find a way to get to Sam in the military council.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 2, Amy and Jon will turn up for Senate Scrutiny. This is actually the second scrutiny meeting of the weekend, but the first one happens during the Friday MC meeting, so I miss that one. This is where the Constitutional Court goes over the senate motions to check if there's something we need to advise on, or something that's obviously awry. It's a fun meeting, but does need us to balance IC and OC quite heavily at times.<br /> <br /> Once that meeting's done, I'll head IC, and hang about in the Hub, providing &quot;clarity&quot;, until the 4pm Senate Session. Where I will again provide &quot;clarity&quot;.<br /> <br /> After Senate, I head back to The Cave, catch up with M&amp;A on what I've missed, and help where I can.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 7pm, it's time for the third scrutiny meeting! Once that meeting's done, I'll head IC, and hang about in the Hub, providing &quot;clarity&quot;, until the 9pm Senate Session. Where I will again provide &quot;clarity&quot;.<br /> <br /> After Senate, I'll head back to the Cave and discuss the dealings of the day, between the various houses of state and similar, and we'll discuss anything urgent arising.<br /> <br /> Matt will start to fret about the weather.<br /> <br /> We'll wind down, and I'll fall asleep some time between 12 and 1.<br /> <br /> '''SUNDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> At 9am, I'll again head to Clare's Field NPC meeting and catch up with everyone. At 10:30, it's back over to the Monster Reception Station.<br /> <br /> Once that's done (Around 11ish), I'll have breakfast. In this hour I also need to make sure the Order sheets for generals are printed so they can write their army orders on them.<br /> <br /> At about half 12, I'll again take reports from refs on the battles. We'll also have the results of the battle, which again need to get to Sam on the field so she can brief the generals IC.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 12, Amy and Jon will turn up for the Sunday Senate Scrutiny meeting. The astute will notice that I'm potentially in 2-3 meeting simultaneously here, and you're not wrong. They sometimes manage to slot together well, but I prioritise the Refs over Scrutiny where they don't (As M&amp;A can do Scrutiny without me).<br /> <br /> As soon as that's all done, I'll run out to the 1pm Military Council with the order sheets. I'll stay there until I have all the army orders (providing &quot;clarity&quot; as required) and then rush to Senate, where I'll be until time out.<br /> <br /> After time out, I'll stagger back to the cave with the Generals' orders, and write them all up. Then I'll either get in my car and drive home, or crash out for an hour or two before dinner, and drive back the next day.<br /> <br /> '''EPILOGUE'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> A week after the event, we'll have a call and I'll provide Matt with the General's orders, and shortly after that he'll open downtime.<br /> <br /> And then we return to the start.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Emma.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=Emma Rowden|title=Hasn't broken the internet in, gosh, hours.}}<br /> ==What I do when not egregoring==<br /> * '''''Emma Rowden''' has been involved with Empire for quite a while, as a player, an egregore, another egregore, a facebook moderator, and a battle ref among other things. They've written a few words about what they do between and during events.''<br /> So, in addition to my role as Egregore (Which [[#We Do Indeed Have a Job|Peter Green]] has already covered very comprehensively!), over the last few years I’ve also picked up a bunch of other odd jobs around Empire both at events and online<br /> <br /> By far and away my biggest (In terms of volume and time) job for Empire LRP is as moderator on the official facebook groups. Currently I’m one of your friendly neighbourhood moderators for the main Empire LRP group (2.5k members), the page (5,295 likes), Dawn (1.2k members) and Navarr (1.5k members). Whilst we’re a reasonable sized team there’s still a lot of work to do and there’s no real “off” time as people are posting 24/7. We do our best to arrange cover if any of us are off on holiday or are away. When the Winds of Fortune are going up, I can get upwards of 200 notifications a day!<br /> <br /> On an average day I review people who’ve asked to join the groups to try to weed out any bots. I also try to have a cursory glance at most posts that go up, quickly parsing them as whether they contain any hot topics that are likely to cause people to have strong reactions. If it’s likely to and the post itself doesn’t contravene any moderation rules, I’ll “Follow” it and lurk in the comments section in case I’m needed. If something contentious from PD is about to be posted, we might get a quick heads up from the Boss to be vigilant. People often also PM me if they’re concerned about anything they see.<br /> <br /> If we have to moderate anything we try to PM the people involved or put a post on the related thread explaining the action we’ve taken. All of this is recorded and documented in case we need to refer to it later. We often discuss best practice or how things could be done better next time. Clare as Player Support Head and Emma as Head of Conduct also keep an eye out in case they need to get involved.<br /> <br /> At events, in addition to Egregore things I also help Nick run the Weapons demos. Along with Johnny, I’m one of Nick’s combat test dummies. We cover what Empire LRP fights should look like, the rules, the calls and a whole bunch of safety issues that can arise when fighting. Everything from “What is (And isn’t) a stab safe weapon” to “getting consent before touching people when healing”. No question is too daft! This usually takes about 45 mins and sees me bouncing off trees and hamming up dying multiple times. It’s a lot of fun and is a useful refresher even for older hands!<br /> <br /> I also help out on the New Player Skirmish which David runs, with a bunch of other folks like Maz and Tim. We split the new players into 2 groups and run a couple of basic combat scenarios such as a fighting retreat, or rescuing a target. Everyone gets an opportunity to try on an orc mask and to have a go with using their character’s skills. It might only be 20 a side but it’s a good introduction to what Empire combat can be like. Sometimes we even get the smoke machines out too!<br /> <br /> Whilst the rest of Highguard are monstering, I can be found in a yellow and black tabard Battle Reffing. Battle refs are there to help with any Rules or Safety issues that might occur during a battle.<br /> <br /> After the 9am player support briefing I head over to where the rest of the refs are meeting. We have a ref briefing which covers the battle plan and any potential issues that might occur. Then we head into the battle area and spread out around the likely combat zone. Often I’ll pick a group of monsters or an EMU and stick with them. There are also plot refs on respawn points and battle refs on any notable features such as regios. We have radios and can hear the count down to the gate opening and the players arriving. Our radio channel has other refs on it and first aid. We can call for Emma Woods if necessary who can liaise with the plot team who are on another channel.<br /> <br /> During the course of a battle I will speak to players to check their understandings of rules and take their PIDs or names, calling on other refs if necessary for support. I will hand out traumatic wound cards to people who I see doing particularly excellent roleplay. I will help players avoid any safety hazards such as barbed wire fences and help de-escalate and control other potential danger zones such as crushes (I get hit a surprising amount whilst doing this!). If a man-down is called in my vicinity I’ll first check on the injured person and do a basic assessment as to whether they’re walking wounded, just need a minute, or we need the first aid team. If the first aid team is needed I’ll radio them, giving a location and a rough idea of the injury. Once I’m not needed there, me and the other refs will try and get the battle started again as safely and quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Once the battle is over all the refs will meet up for a debrief. We’ll share any PIDs we took which will then be logged on the PD database, any general rules issues we had (e.g. people executing poorly or unsafely) and any things that went well or that we feel we could have done better. Then I’ll get back into egregore kit and head into Highguard.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Peter.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Peter Green|title=Stopping any Freeborn tripping over their tagelmust and impaling themselves on spikes is a full-time job.}}<br /> <br /> ==We Do Indeed Have a Job==<br /> * '''''Peter Green''' writes about being an [[egregores|egregore]] and about his his experiences as one of the newer members of the Player Support team.''<br /> I was ridiculously honoured to be asked to write something about what exactly it is that Egregores do. Contrary to popular belief, we do indeed have a job. You see, I’m rather new to the Player Support Team having done a whole two events as the Brass Coast Egregore. I have been asked back and not banned forever, so I can’t have done too badly. This puts me in a pretty cool position of being able to comment about the learning curve and duties of an Egregore with fresh eyes.<br /> <br /> I firmly believe that Egregoring is one of the most fun and rewarding jobs I’ve done at a LRP, let alone at Empire. It seems to take a little from several other sections of the game- a little reffing, a little playing, a LOT of meddling. And a truly inordinate amount of combining other words with the word ‘egregore’.<br /> <br /> We are field crew - this means we spend the game time almost entirely on the field, in character. Our entire job is to help players to have fun, find the game they want, and enable whatever dreadful schemes they have. It’s a pretty tough mental switch to make if you’ve come straight from being a player. Your success condition becomes other people’s successes and stories, and that is what you focus on. It can be easy to feel like you haven’t achieved anything, or been particularly memorable. But if a player can point to you, and say you helped them, well, that’s a win.<br /> <br /> Before I do a bit of a ‘day in the life’ about what I spent my last game doing, I’m just gonna clear up some common misconceptions:<br /> <br /> * We do play characters. They can have IC opinions and views and personal connections, and do in fact ROLEPLAY. They’re not just lampshades for a OC help point and can absolutely be interacted with on a personal level.<br /> * This doesn’t mean it translates to OC bias. If you feel like you can’t go to your egregore for OC help, they’re doing something wrong.<br /> * Yes, we can die. Ask Wintermark and The Coast.<br /> * No, we don’t start with more character points than anybody else.<br /> * Our ‘special powers’ essentially come down to seeing if a character is alive or dead and opening the gate. Seriously pals, we are not loaded with magical macguffins.<br /> <br /> With that out the way…<br /> <br /> The first thing the job seems to include is walking. No, more than that. Before time in we have new player meets, briefings and other bits and bobs to pick up. As soon as time in hits, I tend to hit the ground running. Meet new players IC, find out what their goals are. Check up on old groups and see if they need any help or just have a chat. Usually there’s a LOT of introducing people to each other. Helping forge connections is really, crucially important. You have to have a pretty good head on who does what in your nation, so you can point people in the right direction.<br /> <br /> Helps if you know the rest of the field too. There’s a lot of showing people to the correct place if they don’t know where something is in Anvil. Unhelpfully, sometimes it’s a LOT of guesswork, but you know. Don’t tell anybody I said that. Gotta look all knowing.<br /> <br /> There’s a few other formalised duties. Opening the gate is probably the biggest and consistently the most nervewracking. You stand in front of half the nations, grandstanding. It seems to be a honest fifty fifty split on how they can go, with it depending as much on the weather and the general mood as anything else. There is literally nothing worse than performing and looking out at a sea of backs or indifferent faces. Engaging the crowd is always our aim, to get them riled up and ready to fight. If we get a cheer, that’s our aim achieved.<br /> <br /> Other bits and pieces that are slightly less intimidating are things like presiding over people coming and going in your nation, being sad at funerals, checking on the status of characters and doing adminy bits like arranging the senatorial elections/auctions/festivals. The main thing to constantly keep in mind is that you are there to facilitate, not to lead. That’s up to the players. Wrangle logistics, spitball ideas, spread messages, but DON’T tell people what to do.<br /> <br /> At the beginning of each morning, we have a super secret meeting to gossip about player actions and to let the plot team know if hooks have been picked up or dropped, if there’s a lack of interest in something or even if we have an idea about what might want to be poked at in the future. By reporting back to the plot team, we give them an idea about how their work is actually hitting the field in real time.<br /> <br /> We’re also a point of contact (via radio) to get hold of refs/GOD/redcaps/accessibility crew, report OC safety issues, check on skirmish and battle times and other various appointments. Importantly, we probably shouldn’t mediate rules disputes and most of us don’t have tablets. We are so not trusted with that power. Trust me, it’s for the best. That’s why we have our amazing refs.<br /> <br /> Character skills can also play a big role in how you support player action. I mostly took priest skills - so I can stick roleplaying effects on anything that moves and use it as an IC encouragement to incite action if a player is showing reticence. Other egregores may take combat skills so they can battle alongside their nation or magic so they can assist in rituals. We are pretty much all broke though. Except the League Egregores, predictably.<br /> <br /> The biggest part of our job, arguably, is re-enforcing the national brief. We make sure that there is an IC presence nudging people to stay within the confines of the brief without it coming across as OC chiding or preaching. In my case, it’s a lot of glaring at people if I suspect they’re telling lies or loudly proclaiming my hatred of the colour black. It’s about embodying the nation and leading by example. There’s a clear line between interpreting the brief in an unusual fashion and simply ignoring it. Guess which one we don’t like.<br /> <br /> So, that’s pretty much it, though I’m sure I’ve left out something crucial. We’re fundamentally here to help (to sound cliche) and the drama, meddling, advice and tears is just a free, exciting bonus.<br /> <br /> ==Six Step Process==<br /> * ''Post Autumn Equinox 2018, a discussion of how '''David Sheridan''' handles the prep and running of plots at Empire''.<br /> [[#Running Plot at Empire|Dave]] and [[#What I do on my holidays|Ian]] have set a good tone here. I'm going to talk about the process of writing plot between events, because that's where the REAL magic happens.<br /> <br /> (The set design team are going to thrash me with DMX cables for that, but it's worth it).<br /> <br /> '''Step 1''' is to debrief the event that just happened. After we've all had a week to calm down, tidy up and get back to civilisation, I Skype Management and we talk about what went down. Stuff like &quot;the Marchers loved that CSI tent encounter we gave them,&quot; or &quot;the Urizeni didn't really engage with the NPC going to challenge them to an egg-and-spoon race,&quot; or &quot;the skirmish where they talked the Druj onto their side against the Thule was a bit of a turn-up.&quot;<br /> <br /> We work out what's coming next as a result of player action, and trust me, this shit gets WILD. I am paraphrasing when I say that easily two debriefs an event go something like: &quot;The NPC didn't meet the people she was meant to meet, but did bump into their rivals/made a public announcement/sold the item to someone else, and long story short, I think that's just derailed one of the Conclave Orders/drawn an Eternal's attention/altered the course of a war-front/got [x] blamed for [y].&quot;<br /> <br /> We also bat around ideas for next steps for ongoing stuff. If you've met the same NPC three events running and built a working relationship with them, then chances are you're going to get something next event which builds on that storyline. Maybe they're in trouble and ask you to help; maybe they have an opportunity for you; maybe they want you to commit to them over a rival you're also friends with.<br /> <br /> And we have the sad duty of packing off those plots nobody wants to play with. They get sent to a nice farm upstate, where there's lots of space to run around.<br /> <br /> At the end of that meeting, I actually take pins and stick them into an actual four-foot-wide map of the Empire hanging on my dining-room wall. Yes, I'm that sad. Worse: the pins are colour-coded to show how developed the plot is. These ones start out blue for &quot;Approved in Principle&quot;, and by the event they'd damn well better be green.<br /> <br /> '''Step 2''' is &quot;have ideas&quot;. As any writer can tell you, this is the easy part.<br /> <br /> Seriously, though, I read all the Senate Motions, Synod Judgements, Conclave Declarations, Winged Messengers, Plenipotentiaries, and the updates to ongoing WoFs that people make in the week after the event. And I jot down anything that strikes me as curious. Why DID the Senate agree to fund a trip to the Moon? Why did someone put a motion saying &quot;Rabbits are Good&quot; before Conclave, and why did they vote it down? Why did someone put forward a Statement of Principle saying that &quot;Rabbits are Bad&quot; before [x] National Assembly, and even though it got voted down, why was it so close?<br /> <br /> (And why is everyone so obsessed with rabbits, anyway? Who's running all the Rabbit Plot? And if nobody else is, can I? I like Rabbit.)<br /> <br /> I also try to come up with some stuff out of whole cloth, taking ideas from sinecure and ministry descriptions, fluff-text off the wiki, and by less creative methods like saying, &quot;Nobody's put Dawn and the Freeborn in conflict recently; what do they each value that we can make them fight over?&quot;<br /> <br /> As these ideas are coming, collaboration is key. We have a number of backstage Facebook groups where I might post &quot;Is anyone running anything with the Faraden/the Hercynia Vallorn/the Shattered Tower?&quot; or &quot;Hey makey-people, how would you make an NPC crew-member into a gryphon?&quot; People reply with ideas and budgets, and I adjust my ideas and expectations accordingly. Usually upwards: I'm constantly being surprised by the talent and open-handedness of our makey-people.<br /> <br /> In addition to ongoing plots, I try to come up with ten suggestions for either entirely new plotlines or engaging the levers that PCs have pulled. I've found this leads to about 14-15 things to run in an event, which, along with other duties I have at events, is about the right amount for my blood pressure.<br /> <br /> These get white drawing-pins, for &quot;Not Approved Yet&quot;.<br /> <br /> A digression: my plots often aren't the big things you'll have heard of from the WoF. I'm known as a &quot;bijou&quot; plot-writer: my stuff is usually meant to only directly influence a small number of people, but in such a way as that influence can ripple out into the world. I love reifying the fantastic elements of the setting, making them more relatable by portraying human reactions to the inhuman: ghosts and curses, immortal sorceror-dragons and cruel Sovereigns, Eternals and Sydanjaa.<br /> <br /> The upside to this is that these plots can be great game. If they touch the right character, they can change the course of a nation, or become the next accepted truth about a historical matter. The downside is that they aren't DESIGNED to do this, and in a game that's centred around various kinds of macro-scale politics, this can mean their signal gets lost in noise.<br /> <br /> Honestly, I don't mind that. Because half the time, what this means is that in two years' time, someone is able to say, with passionate conviction, &quot;No. I went there, I dealt with the consequences of [x] myself, and I won't let it happen again!&quot; - it's always, always more effective if it's coming from the mouth of someone who went out through the Sentinel Gate to do [x] rather than who simply took an option to roleplay about having done it in downtime. And what REALLY makes my game is when that's someone you'd never have expected to get involved: someone with no title, no former political prominence, no rich friends, who's become a crusader off the back of that short, intense experience. There's a reason we all go to a field rather than playing by email, and this is it.<br /> <br /> '''Step 3''' is to call up Management again and put these ideas to them. This is Plot Approval, and it's a collaborative process, where the results of that collaboration can be anything from a simple &quot;Yeah, great idea, talk to [x],&quot; through &quot;Let's talk about the fine details for two hours.&quot; Other options include: &quot;That's such a good idea that another writer did it two years ago,&quot; or &quot;That goes against a recent Synod Judgement that just got a GM,&quot; or even, &quot;No, that's dumb.&quot;<br /> <br /> It takes 2-3 hours to go through maybe half of those plots, so it takes a couple of those meetings over a couple of nights.<br /> <br /> After this point, anything given the go-ahead gets changed to blue, and the race is on.<br /> <br /> '''Step 4''' is to frantically write everything. The Plot Wiki is very forgiving: accessible from anywhere, and if you leave it logged in overnight, editing a page, it won't have forgotten your unfinished edits the next morning.<br /> <br /> This involves a LOT of wiki-reading. I design characters to reference the game's Archetypes, because NPCs should reinforce setting in their very bearing. I try to make sure my NPCs never fail to have the answer to an important question, and that they don't have to improvise things like names or dates.<br /> <br /> Checking who to target the plot hooks at often involves a database search: &quot;Navarri Vates with Night Magic&quot;, or &quot;Characters in Astolat with Military Units&quot;, that sort of thing. If a plot involves a crop-blight in Highguard, you can bet that Highborn Farm-Owners are getting an OOC pack-briefing to clue them in before angry farmer NPCs turn up at Anvil.<br /> <br /> After the research, I usually take a couple of hours per plot getting everything down on paper, and then the fun bit begins.<br /> <br /> (Each pin goes to yellow once the bulk of it is done).<br /> <br /> '''Step 5''' is all the admin needed to make the plot run. This is where I need to work with the silent-silent partner, the PeeDee PLOT MATRON. I will tell her what costume, make-up, SFX and set design, NPCs and ribbons I need; I will use her to book Conjunctions and set their size, duration, locations and Accessibility options; I will give her the NPCs' briefs to remember for me. I create new ribbons, curses and divination results, and briefs for egregores and magistrates where relevant. I shuffle things around so I'm not briefing three things at dinner-time. And finally, I talk to human beings again.<br /> <br /> I put out juicy NPC briefs for pre-event casting in a dedicated NPC-crew FB group. I talk to Beth Charlton about who's attending and their skillsets, experience and enthusiasm, asking for recommendations. I talk to Plot Production to get stuff made. I talk to Tom Hancocks about running things with the Skirmish teams and, sometimes, about borrowing members of Skirmish Crew for field plot. I VERY rarely talk to ACTUAL PLAYERS (usually former crew-members, giving them the chance to take a new plot onto the field with a retired NPC, but also sometimes when I know someone on the field has a rare skill or talent that's impossible to improvise).<br /> <br /> I also usually put some hours into making something for the event. I love making paper props and similarly-designed things - maps, illuminated manuscripts, artworks, cryptic encoded heresies, letters hinting at details of history or politics, journals, architectural plans, all sorts. Here, as at every stage, collaboration is useful.<br /> <br /> I prepare, and prepare, and prepare. It takes far longer than I hope it will. But it's worth it to be prepared on the day.<br /> <br /> (And the pins turn green!)<br /> <br /> '''Step 6'''. On the day.<br /> <br /> I'm prepared. I'm timetabled, I've got stuff pre-assigned to encounters and the heart-meltingly wonderful Blue Caps to put my ribbons, coin and resources in little named envelopes for me. I've got NPCs who know when they need to find me, or whether their timing is flexible. I've got my meal tickets. And PLOT MATRON can take very much of the weight all by herself.<br /> <br /> By now, most of my work is done. All the thought, obsessively reading the wiki for details and checking names and dates, all the writing, most of the briefing: that shit's already happened. I need to stay on the ball for the weekend, but... most of my work is done. All I've got to do now, basically, is to explain my brilliant ideas to people and froth with them when they come back from the Anvil field.<br /> <br /> By the time I hit the field, 95% of my job is done. And I love it that way.<br /> <br /> ==What I do on my holidays==<br /> * ''Following Autumn Equinox 2018, '''Ian Horne''' talks about his role at events with particular emphasis on tent encounters<br /> So my work starts about a week after the previous event. I dig myself out of the froth caves in which I was impersonating some kind of Russian troll, call up the editors (with a summoning circle) and provide elevator pitches for my next event’s stories along with at-this-stage vague ideas for the shape of the three encounter tents. They demolish my ideas and together we put the pieces back together stronger. My notes from this are full of CAPITAL LETTERS and CRYPTIC DRIVEL: over the next week I shovel these into google docs outlining what my plots will be.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, two things happen: first, the ''SWIVEL EYED SYNOD JUDGEMENTS'', which I produce as a resource to roll my own face in, and second the Past Life Visions (PLVs) are assigned.<br /> <br /> I don’t write them: I underwrite them. It is not permissible for us to miss one, and I’ve volunteered to backstop that - it is my responsibility to make sure that SOMEONE writes, designs, casts and otherwise actuates your Vision. The worry that those ''someone''s will all be me in a succession of increasingly bad hats is a great motivating factor to get people writing.<br /> <br /> Anyway, once I know what the visions are and if any Eternals are using tents, and in discussion with the tent leads and SFX designers, we set up what the encounter tents will look like. We ask for plot from the other writers too, because threeish visions and sixish Eternals do not fill three tents for an event. Typically I will also write mini adventures to go in some gaps if I spot them early enough, because I am disgustingly proud of our sets and want as many players to see them as possible.<br /> <br /> You must understand I have the visual art sensibilities of a housebrick - I do not design what you see! But plot writers semi-regularly come to us with a lovingly detailed masterwork of drama, and excitedly I ask them where it happens, and they say ‘Um. A fairly spartan tent, near Anvil. It needs a chair in it. And a table, if you can stretch to that?’<br /> <br /> And if I pass that straight to the tent leads, our encounter will be set in a featureless pitch black tent with a chair containing the bludgeoned and insensible form of a plot writer slumped on a lovingly detailed table. So, armed with someone else’s artistic faculty, I engage with the writer to try and locate a part of the world the encounter could reasonably be in. Ideally, of course, it is suspiciously like the one that is already scheduled for 11.30am that day, halfway between that and (say) the 3pm one - and we iterate on that until the mental image of the set is beautiful, and once that’s locked in I pass it to the excellent people who make sure we will have all the objects onsite with which to do the things.<br /> <br /> It’s particularly bad with Visions. The conceit of uptime is that everything happens at Anvil - so visions of being a mover and shaker often get set at Anvil in their first draft. And frankly, that’s a waste. The tents are one way we bring the world to life… the players are already working hard bringing Anvil to life, and can throw more effort and resources at it than ever we can. Meanwhile we spend a lot of time and effort not being a tent and not being near Anvil. If all else fails, thanes have halls and stridings have taprooms and I have before resorted to a Highborn Travelodge…<br /> <br /> Anyway, about three (ahahahahaha) weeks before the event I know what the tents will be and possibly even what’s happening in them. A week after that I start making increasingly insistent noises at people I’ve frothed with who don’t have plot for me yet. As the Winds of War and Fortune issue from Raff’s blazing keyboard I am metaphorically backstage creating an order for ducks to be arranged in. At some point the editors make time in their overstuffed schedules to do a quality control pass on my plot. I write up briefs, send them to NPCs, rummage through eBay’s sock drawer and the local garden centres for props. And then we go to site, and my work is largely done and now I can have fun.<br /> <br /> Because it is fun. We’re volunteers, we’re on holiday too - I try to ensure that whatever else, my stuff is at least as much fun for players as crew. Most of my briefs will include the line ‘come back if you stop having fun’ or ‘milk it as long as it continues to be funny’ or words to that effect. Our NPCs are great at improvisation and tend to enjoy it, especially when we remember to let them know exactly how far to take it. One of the main areas where I think that experience helps with plot writing is in intuiting the difference between a brief that will give your NPCs a no good very bad time (“this encounter takes place in the aftermath of a battle, full of corpses”) and one that really sings (“wait, does that read corpses? I meant ‘Terminal’. You recall the Terminal rules? I want a wall of noise. Oh, and *you*, *you* and *you* are Imperial and the rest are barbarians.”).<br /> <br /> The sets in our encounter tents are amazing, and I can say that because I am at best a stevedore for them. The tent leads and SFX crew are actual wizards. I say ‘it would be nice if there was some rubbish in this one’, and the next time I walk past I hear a discussion on what the mediaeval equivalent of a discarded rotting sofa is and can we fake one. I say ‘volcano forge’, and the next time I look the corner of the tent has what I can only call a geode with what looks decidedly like a river of quicksilver. We decided that one tent would be the inside of an organ and … you had to be there. Pictures don’t do it justice.<br /> <br /> What am I doing while the team are doing this? Ideally, if it is all going perfectly, not much. I check in with the NPCs that they are on their way, with the plot writer that nothing is on fire (except for that which is supposed to be on fire) and with the tent leads and SFX people that we will have a set - then pitch in wherever someone needs something. And if the metaphorical wheels look like they are coming off, or going wobbly, I go find the duct tape as early as possible. I have been two people in some Visions - I’m getting quite good at quick changes, and I love chewing scenery.<br /> <br /> Other than that? I play the odd NPC - he’s really quite odd - and brief the odd plot - and wasn’t it just - and then when the tent plot is all spring-loaded, the ducks are in obedient rows and the evening’s last sets are shipshape, I get onto the field as one of those characters you get in CRPGs who regurgitate basic setting info if you click on them. Because I love Anvil by night and I like to experience it if I can. (If you see an unfeasibly tall man in a stupid red hat, it’s me, and I love regurgitating basic setting info in an IC voice.)<br /> <br /> Last event was uphill. Two of our three tent leads were out with OOC issues. But thanks to excellent work by excellent people we won through, and we had fun doing it. The mission statement could be, in a word, aspiration - year on year, we will outdo ourselves. That is our aim: that is our target. I look forward to giving it my best shot.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Kibblewhite.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=David Kibblewhite|title=The man we call Cool Jim}}<br /> ==Running Plot at Empire==<br /> * ''Writing after the Autumn Equinox event 2018, '''Dave Kibblewhite''' talks about what his event entails as a plot writer and egregore.<br /> Got there on the Thursday, needing to replace shock cord in a tent pole before I could put it up. Nearly gave up and then realised that my tent does in fact contain two poles that are identical once assembled but made up of slightly different components. Very confusing. Once I had pitched the tent in order to make sure the award-winning Clare Evans had somewhere to comfortably sleep, my primary role at PD was out of the way and I could get on with other stuff.<br /> <br /> We had some food from Obanzai and it was so amazing that I resolved to eat all my non-breakfast meals there for the weekend, which I did with no regrets. We did our new player social, which a few people showed up to. When it got chilly I went and put thermals on under my clothes. This made a big difference and I basically did that for the rest of the weekend. Definitely a top self-care tip. We hung out with the orcs a bit, I failed to locate Alexis Celnik and eventually gave up on the tavern because I wasn't really feeling it and went to bed.<br /> <br /> On Friday I spent the morning checking in with makeup, costume, set dressing etc in an attempt to minimise the amount of surprises I'd drop on them later, then got my camping furniture over to the Varushka camp ready for the IC tent once it was up. We had the first new player meeting at 2 and I dished out some briefs to egregores. Sadly I had to dash off before the end as it started raining and I was conscious my stuff was in a pile in the Varushka camp. Consequently I missed chatting to new Varushka players at that point.<br /> <br /> At that point the tent was up, so I stood staring at a pile of fabric while my brain switched off and played cartoons in my head for a while before getting Emmanuel Goldstein and Simon Manby to give me a hand set dressing it . Then I located a bag full of random pieces of wood and arranged someone to drill holes in them because that's what my life is like.<br /> <br /> By that time I was into my window for getting my costume on and weapons checked before getting over to the hall of worlds for the intro to magic session I do with Martyn Sullivan and Emmanuel Goldstein. Attendance was not great so we obviously need better PR, but if the players who did show up go into time-in confident to jump into the magic game rather than standing on the sidelines then I still say it's worth it.<br /> <br /> Then I got over to Varushka almost for time in, greeted the new people at the hearth, did a bit of chatting, then went to support the IC weapons training. By the time that was done it was basically time for me to get back and brief Taz Magpye's storyteller who had stepped in to replace an absent and crew member and hadn't therefore had time to absorb what was quite a complex brief. Left the IC stuff to the infinitely capable Si Childs.<br /> <br /> It was then approaching time for my first tent quest of the weekend, so I checked in on the set build, made sure it was looking as I wanted, and I knew how to make my sounds play with Ian Horne Cattes and Jess (can't tag). Made sure my NPC was briefed, happy and looking good. Got players and chucked them in. Good atmospheric encounter with some imperial orcs where they tried to do some riddles and stuff while I freaked them out by occasionally blaring a DRAMATIC sounding Autumn Bailey through the PA. They took the item they were meant to take, appeared very engaged with the story and I sent them away smiling, so that was great.<br /> <br /> Came back to find the storyteller npc a bit panicky and needing clarification on some bits of the brief, which I think we resolved and got her happy and back out. Chilled out backstage for a bit, then went out IC for a while, where I didn't do much except be a wallflower at the empress/wise one pre-marital questioning. Went to bed at time out.<br /> <br /> Saturday was my big plot day. First I got the ribbons for Taz Magpye's random bits of wood plot attached and distributed, mostly at the morning, pre time-in player support meeting. This plot was super successful at getting people engaged and required very little effort to run out from plot (although a bunch from field refs though I guess).<br /> <br /> I had set the morning aside to battle, but I didn't trust my ankle if I had to run so instead I painted myself silver and went to play an Autumn realm jeweler for Wrenna Robson. Enjoyed doing some trades for very specific denominations of coinage. Did horribly disappoint one player through my first-come first-served policy, but being beaten to the deal is the nature of the Autumn realm I guess. Never quite got the silver paint all off all weekend.<br /> <br /> At that point I checked in with the NPCs for my three Anvil based encounters (these people had already been sent their briefs before the event) to answer any questions. I collected and attached ribbons to the weapon physreps I'd brought as one of them was a peddler for the Varushkan market. Also found an orb physrep and a way to ribbon that (hot glue gun). Threw all this in a bag I got from the prop boxes along with something another plot writer added to the encounter and made sure the NPC knew where it was since I wouldn't be there when she went out. Lastly, made sure the 70 beautiful potion physreps Beck Hemsley made for my potion trader were available for that npc. These were new potion types that Matt and Andy were yet to sort lammies for although I'd been assured they would be ready in time. I poked my head into their office, noted a post-it in front of Andy's desk reading &quot;Dave drugs&quot; and declined to bother them further.<br /> <br /> Checked in on the &quot;inside of giant monster&quot; set (thank you Mark Nichols, Heather M Clayton etc, then went to the orc camp where I had been asked to support what was already a very cool scene starring Steph Morris and Mike Kilburn. Matt Couldridge came with me to set off some smoke while the players threw a lot of expensive hallucinogens around, then I played the 3.5 minutes or so of audio I'd mixed. I think a lot of people were actually pretty blown away by Matt Notcutt's ominous intro, Emma Rowden's supervillain monologue and the minute or so of visceral stabbing sounds. Then I chased an orc around with a speaker shouting at him in Autumn Bailey's voice some more and told them when their quest was.<br /> <br /> Then I pegged it back to the encounter tents to make sure the set was ready to go, grabbed a surgical kit with actual sharp things, and got the players for my &quot;autopsy from the inside&quot; quest. Players proceeded to destroy the set and props, I told them some hopefully interesting stuff and sent them on their way. They got extremely sticky and the encounter involved a lot of &quot;EEEWWWW THIS IS VILE!&quot;. Conjunction caused some confusion because I'd moved it to accommodate the aforementioned player-organised scene and not informed the refs in case they needed to rely on paper timetables, so that was my bad.<br /> <br /> Went out with the skirmish crew then to do the imperial orc ancestor pilgrimage (whole nation encounter in the woods). Skirmish knocked it out of the park in the end, but I learned some important stuff about how to split up a complex brief for a large group. In addition I think the orcs might be able to take a bit more railroading and stage management than a lot of our players, and it was clear to everyone involved that the whole thing would have been better in the dark. That said, it all went pretty well.<br /> <br /> Sat down for food then set to work getting the Varushkan &quot;make evil bargain with creature whilst inside other creature&quot; quest ready. Taz Magpye showed up to help and the whole thing went very smoothly. Got the players and brought them down. Sadly a player had some health issues just before getting to the encounter so we sat down for a while while I looked after them and cheered them up then walked them back to their friends. Got back to the end of the encounter to find they'd used some headology and bypassed a lot of dilemmas by simply hacking off the hostage's arm at the shoulder and dragging them back through the sentinel gate spraying arterial blood around, so I think we're proud of our players for that one.<br /> <br /> Then spent a while getting ready for the past life vision I'd written. Never done one of these before so it was a lot of pressure, plus I'd opted to do it outside, have multiple scenes, and NPC it from the skirmish team plus the rogue element Matthew Pennington, none of which is normal for these encounters. I feel I may not have done the PLV team's heart rate any good, but everyone involved came together to make what I think was a really powerful scene that I hope the player will remember for a long time.<br /> <br /> That done, I rushed off to the Wintermark camp with my NPCs and pyro person to do Kallavesi vision time, which on this occasion was two NPCs miming in a tent full of very thick smoke with me as an IC narrator. It was lovely to hear Harry Morris in her element encouraging the players to take it seriously, and I've realised I can now recognise the sound of forty potion lammies being ripped simultaneously (it sounds like player engagement).<br /> <br /> Got back to monster, got some paperwork associated with the PLV sorted, then went to chill out IC and heard some lovely singing. Thought about going straight to bed but instead stayed up with the cool kids in monster. This was an incredibly good decision because not only did I have a good laugh, but I met someone who is going to provide tremendous technical help with Fairyland next year.<br /> <br /> On Sunday I actually just played my egregore character, including accompanying Si Childs while we tried to by him a goat (thank you for playing, Felix's Watch). Then spotted an important plot point which had been missed, and resolved it by quickly getting a ribbon sorted and dressing the closest person, Erin Catherine Marsh, as a zombie. After time out the rest of the day/night was remarkable only because I actually spent time with Clare, and that a number of us spent quite some time being relentlessly cruel to David Henderson, who is utterly deserving of the treatment he got.<br /> <br /> A busy event, but super rewarding. Really feel like I have learned a lot this year. Which is good, because Clare and I are running our first event next year and in many ways it is a bit ambitious.</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=What_we_do&diff=116141 2024-11-18T10:58:30Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Three-thousand, six-hundred Freddos */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Category:Crew]][[Category:Game Design]]<br /> ==Overview==<br /> These are short articles written by crew members about what they do during, or between, events. Originally written for Facebook, they maintain the same sort of informal tone found in the more game-design oriented essays you can find [[Writing about Empire|here]].<br /> ==That Was The Year That Was==<br /> * ''Matthew Pennington runs Profound Decisions; it's his name over the door. He probably has the most diverse job portfolio of anyone, doing everything from answering everyone's e-mails, to ordering toilets, to approving plot, to writing his ''own'' plot, to making sure there are first-aiders, to... you get the idea. As part of the &quot;What We Do&quot; initiative he's written this quick piece looking back over 2018 - and looking forward to the future.''<br /> Andy asked me to try and write a piece on what I do at events, but for once I couldn't think of anything I wanted to say. I'm not usually stuck for words, but it's mostly meetings and that didn't seem that interesting to write about. But I did want to talk about the year we've just had - how extraordinary it's been for us - and what that means for the year ahead - so Andy said I could write about that instead.<br /> <br /> The single word I'd use to describe the last twelve months is &quot;unprecedented&quot;. To be fair the changes all began half-way through 2016 - when hundreds of new players first started coming to Empire - but the impact of that weren't really felt until this year. At the end of 2017 there was always the chance that everything was just a flash in the pan... It was soon clear in the run-up to the first event that that wasn't the case and so we started responding in earnest to the changes.<br /> <br /> The first of those challenges was logistics! There are 5-600 more players per event this year than there were last year. That's a lot of people and the first thing they need is a lot of space. Of course you don't just have to plan for the players you have - you have to try and ensure there's enough room no matter what happens - the last thing we'd ever do is turn people away on the gate because we're full. I've done that once before at an LRP event I was involved with decades ago and I swore I'd never do it again.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Matthew Pennington.jpg|caption=Matthew Pennington.|title=Unprecedented...|width=250|align=right}}<br /> As the bookings started pouring in for the first event, it became pretty obvious that we couldn't carry on just using one field. It's always preferable to have Anvil in one field if we can - but the game is just too big now to accomodate that on our current site. We'd already outlined some plans with the farmer, but once it became clear that it was definitely going to happen, there was some pretty hasty work needed to get the gates put in between the two fields.<br /> <br /> Of course it's not just space - you have to get everyone in and out of the site. That meant laying even more new woodchip roads - this time through the woods - and that meant creating new bridges and yet more gates - to get over the streams and ditches. That's when we hit our first hitch - it was one of the wettest winter's on record. It basically started raining in October and didn't really stop all winter. Once the ground became utterly waterlogged that made any ground work incredibly difficult. And the longer we waited for it to dry out so we could get to work... the more it just kept on raining.<br /> <br /> In the end we just had to get on with it and suck up all the extra work involved with operating in such poor conditions. And given that the winter rain continued right up to - and through - the first event - it's a pretty good job that we did. The new roads only just held up at the first event and the ground itself was in a pretty terrible state. 6 months of rain will do that! Things were a little better in the old field - the new storm drain we'd put in carried the rain away - almost as quickly as it came down. But getting everyone off the site from anywhere was a real struggle.<br /> <br /> Fortunately it finally stopped raining shortly after the first event... and at that point it decided not to rain again that summer... That brought new challenges of its own, but in did mean that at the Spring Event we were finally able to see the new roads working the way we'd hoped. The previous three events had seen long queues to get off site - queues that were getting longer and longer with each event as numbers kept growing. But the new roads did everything we'd hoped and more and the queues pretty much disappeared - much to our delight.<br /> <br /> The other big thing you need with so many people is toilets. These problems were compounded by the fact that the toilets that we'd bought years earlier were at the end of their life and some of them have not survived the move to the new site. We'd been making do by renting additional toilet blocks - but now we needed to make a decision of whether to buy more second-hand units or switch to renting. Whatever happened we were going to need a lot more toilets - but it was a question of whether we spend the money up front buying - or spend it over time by renting.<br /> <br /> In the end we chose the latter option - and I'm really pleased we did. We simply could not have afforded to buy enough toilet units to support the event properly. We'd have managed... but there wouldn't have been enough. Renting large numbers of units meant we could get better quality toilets - and more of them. It's expensive of course - the rental is £30,000 a year - but it meant that we could put a toilet in the crew area for the first time ever.... One day we'll have the money to invest in our own toilets - but not until we've got on our site to build them on. Until then we'll stick with renting - and that means we'll always be able to stay on top of the numbers - as more people come to the event, we can just rent more units.<br /> <br /> There were lots of other challenges that I could talk about. We had to upgrade every electrical cable we owned so that we could get power into the new field. That wasn't straightforward by any means. And rearranging the entire site meant a lot of work for everyone - not least the camp planners. They are a hard working bunch and they cope incredibly well with all the demands put on them by us and the players. In gratitude we switched them all to complimentary tickets this year onwards - it's only fair given how much they put in to organize the camps for everyone's benefit.<br /> <br /> Logistically the year culminated with the extraordinary third event. After non-stop rain all winter, we were now faced with running an event in record temperatures after 6 weeks with no rain. The site was dry as a bone and the fire risks were sky high - so that meant putting a whole raft of new fire restrictions in for the event. I'm delighted to say that we put our trust in the players - told them what we needed them to do - and everyone was incredibly mature and responsible and we had no problems. But it was an interesting challenge for us as I spent days reviewing all our fire planning, looking at evacuations plans and the like. Such work is never really wasted... although in this case I rather hope it's never actually needed.<br /> <br /> Predictably the hot spell broke... over the July weekend we were running our event. The PD weather curse marches on! It didn't stop people coming to the event though... nothing seemed to stop that. The third event it almost always our biggest - since it's during the summer holidays and it's when most people can attend and bring their whole family. This year we shattered all our records though - with well over 1900 adult players on site and just under 2500 people on site by the time you count the young players, the crew, and everyone else. I honestly never imagined that many people would want to play Empire - it's an incredible feeling knowing that you've been part of making a game for so many people.<br /> <br /> Having achieved that milestone, we were able to relex a little and turn our efforts to the battles for the final event. Our battle team were keen to try and create something new and the changes in the woods over winter gave us an opportunity to really go for it. Creating the fort in the woods was a lot of effort - but I'm really pleased they pulled it off It wasn't just the perfect way to end the year; having that there really sets us up nicely for next year. This year it was an epic location for a battle - for 2019 it will be just another tool in our arsenal to try and create better events - at least for as long as we're at the current site.<br /> <br /> How long we'll stay at Dadford Road remains a mystery. We'd been looking at a few places for a year now, with a view to trying to find a new site to rent, somewhere a bit cheaper and closer to the centre of the country. But the extraordinary year we've had forced us to rethink our plans once again. Renting land will always be a hiding to nothing for us - we'll never really be able to create the kind of extraordinary site we'd like to have for the events without a massive programme of investing and the planning permissions to go with it. And that only really makes sense and is only really possible if we own the land. Like almost every LRPer we've dreamed about what we'd do if we owned a LRP site - but by the end of 2018 it was very clear we were in a position to be able to afford to do it - we just have to find the right site to buy.<br /> <br /> So as of last week I was out on the road again - looking at potential permanent sites to buy. That's a long road and one we've been down a few times before and never got to the destination. But I'm feeling really upbeat now. It's going to take a fair few years - just finding a suitable site might take years. But we're better positioned now than we've ever been. We can finally get serious about trying to create a permanent dedicated live roleplaying site to support what we do and hopefully the entire hobby.<br /> <br /> That hasn't been the only big change though. Gaining so many new players brings a lot of challenges in terms of supporting them. As a result, the existing game team, myself, Graeme, and Andy - asked Clare Evans if she'd step up and join the team. Clare has run the egregore team and the new player team since the game began - and she's been amazing. So as part of the change we asked her to also take responsibility for all the field NPCs - so the civil service team now also comes under her wing. That means having a consistent philosophy about the way our field NPCs support players in the game - and it means that every field NPC has a direct link to a member of the game team.<br /> <br /> At the start of the year I asked Andy to join Profound Decisions as a full-time member of staff as campaign director. Obviously Empire runs on an army of volunteers - the events happen because of their hard work and ambition. But as the game kept growing we needed more people who were available to support the game 24/7 and that's not something we can realistically ask of a volunteer. Having Andy onboard as the full time member of staff responsible for the setting and the plot meant we were able to do more to improve that side of the game as well as freeing up my time to do things like look for a few new site.<br /> <br /> And that brings me neatly to my final piece of news - I'm genuinely delighted to let people know that Graeme Jamieson is going to be joining Profound Decisions full time. He'll continue as a member of the game team and head of rules for Empire but take on the role of finance director for Profound Decisions. As anyone who knows me well knows - I'm ok at running a LRP event - but I'm bloody awful at running a business. Graeme is going to bring some much needed discipline to PD - we'll have proper budgets and plans and all sorts of things real companies do (allegedly). That means we'll have a much better run business and I'll have more time to concentrate on land sharks and dragons and forts - so it's a win-win for everyone. Know your own limitations and do the thing you're good at is my motto!<br /> <br /> It'll be a big change for our crew - going from a situation where I basically just say yes to everything - to one where they agree actual budgets for the year with Graeme. But in the long term it should help everyone to have a lot more certainty and be able to plan properly for the year. <br /> <br /> And it's a huge step for us - it basically means Profound Decisions has doubled in size this year - at least in terms of the number of people we're employing on a full-time basis. But it's an absolutely crucial step to take if we're to buy our own site and make a success of developing it.<br /> <br /> And it really sets us up going into 2019 - we have the strongest team we've ever had at Profound Decisions - both our volunteer crew and our full time team staff. So we're all set to keep trying to improve every event to make it better than our last. And the incredible influx of new players has brought a fantastic energy to the game, with so much enthusiasm and passion.<br /> <br /> I hope I see you there!<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Beth Dooner.png|caption=Beth Dooner.|title=Not shown: the Shattered Tower, who are probably just out of shot.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> ==Exhausting But Rewarding==<br /> * ''Beth Dooner is one of the prolific crew photographers responsible for capturing many of the images of players doing things that stop our wiki pages being unreadable walls of text (among other things).''<br /> I go to events. Take photos. Go home. And that’s it right? Well, sort of. There’s a lot more to it than that.<br /> <br /> Before events, I try and get feelers out for any cool encounters that may be happening, or big set pieces that the game may want me to capture (think The Wicker Man or the Kallavsei Funeral). I’ll take a look at what national festivals may be happening and try and record general times for them. Then it’s looking at predicted sunset times to figure out how much time I have to shoot on Friday night; looking at the weather forecast to see if I need to bring any protection for my kit; and look at the field layout so I can see where everyone is. <br /> <br /> Did I mention I also play a character? So this is alongside all of the Winds of Fortune absorbing and goals planning for her. <br /> <br /> I can plan styles of photos as much I like before an events - and I do tend to have some idea of what I’d like to achieve - but there are always factors that change that slightly. Perhaps the weather is cloudy all weekend when I wanted to experiment with more lens flares. Maybe all those epic battlefield shots I wanted that show how big shield walls can be are put to rest because all battles will take place in the woods. <br /> <br /> Being able to work with what you are given with very little control over it outside of your own camera and where you are standing is part of being a photographer at Empire. Spontaneity and being able to think on your feet is key. And don’t get me wrong, it’s frustrating as heck to see the perfect shot lined up and just as you go to get it, the key figure turns away or someone walks in front of you. Due to our rule of not interfering with role play whilst doing photography, I can’t exactly ask someone to do it again. It’s a moment lost, so you often have to decide whether you stay where you are and hope the same opportunity comes up again or move on.<br /> <br /> At events, I do a mixture of playing my character and photographing. I am purely out of character during battles (shown by my red and black coat) but tend to remain IC for much of my Anvil shots. I thankfully play a character who is quite active and has a lot of reasons to wander around the field and see people. I try and do a purely out of character lap of the field once or twice a day though. <br /> <br /> There’ll always be stuff you miss, but it’s amazing the scope of stuff you get and it’s always significant to someone. Whether it's a big moment heroic moment on the battlefield, or a hushed conversation between two characters, or someone looking wistfully off into the distance… each of these moments have story, and that’s what I love about photographing Empire. <br /> <br /> After an event, I’m usually too exhausted to work on photos straight away. Carrying a camera bag and camera does have somewhat of a physical toll on me, so I usually take a night or two to rest up. Once all my images are on my computer, I get to work on going through them. First to go are all the blurred or over exposed ones. They do take up a lot of space. Next to go are the ‘doubles’ from when I have gone click click click with a camera to make sure I don’t catch someone blinking or that slightly unflattering frozen moment during mid speech. We all have them. Then it’s a final look through to take out some weaker shots, but I try to be as kind as I can with these; what may be a ‘weak shot’ to me could possibly make someone’s day and be the centre piece on their grandma’s mantlepiece. <br /> <br /> Then it’s time for that good old post-production. I could be kind to myself and treat every photo the same and just put the same filter on them all after I’ve done some general fixing. However, I like to try and get the best out of every photo, so I retouch each photo individually. I enjoy it a lot, even if it does take more time than simply popping a filter on. I love tapping into my knowledge of colour theory, and looking at film production stills and illustrations to figure out how to make each image shine on its own whilst still being part of a cohesive album. A narrative within the image and the album.<br /> <br /> It does take a lot of mental energy though, which is why likes and comments when the album is uploaded is crucial for my wellbeing. I am especially happy if someone from the Game Team or who helped create the world comments on or likes a photo. I do this for the players of Profound Decisions on the whole, so being able to make both of them happy is a job well done for me.<br /> <br /> It is exhausting, but ultimately rewarding. And keeps me being creative!<br /> <br /> ==All the Little Orc Chrysalises==<br /> * ''Leah Tardivel heas up our plot production team who make sure we have props, costumes, masks, and the occasional monolith for our assorted plots.''<br /> I’m part of an exceptional team. I’ve found this really hard to write because while I have done all these things and would consider all of these things, at least in part, my responsibility it isn’t just me that does them, and for some events it isn’t me at all. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Leah.png|caption=Leah Tardivel.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Empire owns various props that can’t be stored in the field, and some of those live in Coventry. A lot of these are taken because they need care or cleaning such as the orc masks and the NPC costume. Others come back to Coventry because they are too delicate or vulnerable for the field, such as the AV kit and some of the larger monster costumes. As a result our early Empire jobs involve getting things cleaned, prepped and repacked from last event, and working which bits of kit we’re likely to need in the field for the next one. <br /> <br /> We also work with plot writers to ensure we have everything we need by way of set dressing and props for them to do their thing at the next event. We have sorting days and packing weekends (and we’re always grateful for anyone that can spare any time to help). <br /> <br /> I’ve always felt the event proper starts with the vans. They turn up on the Wednesday or Thursday and everything goes to site. <br /> <br /> I regularly say that I haven’t got a clue what I do on site, but that’s not technically true. I talk a lot. I listen a lot, and then I fill in for whichever of the rest of my team needs me to help in order to ensure we get stuff done. My team are plot production. We consist of makeup, costume, props, encounter tents, SFX, and the props workshop, working out of the monster tent. It gives me very varied events, and often very varied days. I can move from dressing NPCs; to building random props out of cable ties, gaffa tape, and hope; to trying to work out how to get the lights on the regio to work within the course of an hour. I’ve not recently been called on to do makeup. They’re pretty independent. <br /> <br /> I’m currently spending time with Beth working out how to build communication between Plot Production, the NPC team, and the plot writers. This has improved massively over the last year, but I still want the system to be a lot more useful to everyone. I like the idea we can do the impossible more often. <br /> <br /> I really like getting to site on a Thursday afternoon and walking into an empty monster tent full of long grass and then building it up to a functioning busy hub, and slowly dismantling it all again so that it can be just empty space again by Sunday evening. As with the rest of Empire it feels so substantial to be something that exists for less than three days at a time.<br /> <br /> For the most part I tend to be busy with set up on Friday, spend Saturday filling in and discussing how to build bigger and better things and then I spend Sunday getting everything packed down, and offsite or stored. We aim to have the monster tent empty by about half two so we can drop our stall at time out and then load the van(s) to get the kit back to Coventry so that we can dry, wash and store it all, and begin planning for next time. <br /> ==I Don't Do Tents==<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Woody.png|caption=Woody Grimsby.|title=Power tools and archery for the win.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> * ''Woody Grimsby doesn't really do tents, but he does hack things out of wood. He also runs away from things in his spare time.''<br /> I don’t do tents. Actually, that’s sort of a lie, though, as I do help on tents as needed - such as the big ones for Monster and GOD - but I don’t tend to do tents the rest of the set up. <br /> <br /> So, what ''do'' I do? Well pretty much anything needing power tools and construction, except ramps. Andy (##McCullough - Raff'') does ramps. Plus each event is different depending on what PD want to achieve and where in the year we are. Typically, if it’s been made using wood and screws I have been involved somewhere along the line. <br /> <br /> I am generally onsite on a Tuesday and start work Wednesday morning. For the first event of each year the first jobs are the floor and the roof on the tavern so the Thursday night crowd have somewhere dry to stand without holes they could fall in. After that it’s the same with the Senate building, then other odd jobs such as the table for the Military Council or the portal in the Hall of Worlds. Occasionally I am needed to put holes in things or fix things for the plot people but that’s rarer now they have people who can do that. Outside of event one I tend to have a bit more time so this year it was building a certain fort. Previous years it’s been arenas and stands for tourneys, or seating for coronations. <br /> <br /> Once the event starts I am often on call as a red cap carrying out repairs for instance if someone manages to find a way to fall through the floor of the Senate or Tavern. In events with very bad weather I spend a lot of time going around re-pegging tents and just doing what needs to be done. Again, the level of commitment depends on the events some events need very little work during them. <br /> <br /> Once the event is over there is often very little for my specific skill set so I pitch in with whichever team needs to assistance, either traffic or taking down tents. On muddy events i'm often busy pushing cars and vans toward roads. <br /> <br /> Then its relax at the crew party and hear about all the things that people have done over the weekend. <br /> <br /> Monday its finish up tents occasionally do some litter picking. Seriously if you want to find the most soul destroying job in the world its litter picking the field once everyone has gone. <br /> <br /> So yeah that’s what a red cap who doesn’t do tents does. What I will say is when I started this crewing malarkey at event one of Odyssey I had no clue, its working with the great people of PD crew that I have been taught how to do what I now do and am trusted with power tools. I even know a little bit about plumbing too, which is nice.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Nick Turner.jpg|caption=Nick Turner.|title=He also finds time to cook.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> <br /> ==Position of Trust==<br /> * ''Nick Turner is a player who volunteers to help out in various capacities through the weekend, such as player-reffing and helping deliver some of our new player briefs.''<br /> I’ve been playing Empire since the start but in that time I’ve helped out on the other side of the fence as well in various guises. This came about from spending a chunk of my formative years on the other side of the world and I wanted to give back to my hobby, without having to stop playing. Most of the time I’m a regular player - paying for my ticket as usual - but I'm happy to help out where I can.<br /> <br /> My event starts briefly a couple weeks beforehand when I check with the Ref team about any particular items they want me to mention in the combat brief I deliver on Friday afternoon. These are normally things that have flagged up from previous event that need to be covered/reinforced. <br /> <br /> I arrive on Thursday and get set up in the play area as any character camping IC does. On Friday afternoon I run the combat brief (twice) for new players. These briefing sessions are aimed at new players (of which we had hundreds this year), but are also open to anyone else who fancies a refresh of the battle rules. They last about 45 minutes all told. During the briefs myself, Johnny Fisher, and Emma Rowden go through the general rules, safety, special calls, archery, magic, and most importantly the “cinema” of LARP combat. I’m a great believer that role-playing doesn’t stop the moment we go through the gate, and I stress that wherever possible. The team field questions on combat and battle, an then the new players crack onto the practice skirmish which is led by the fantastic Tim Baker and Maz Wilberforce. As I said above my sessions are open to everyone so please feel free to drop by even if you aren't a new player.<br /> <br /> Come time-in I’m ready to play my character - but my support duties don’t end completely. <br /> <br /> I also hold a radio as a “player-ref”. At certain times the core ref team benefit from another body, and that's where I come in. Essentially, I’m an extra ref in the field to help where needed. I carry a tabard in my bag and put it on when required (''On-duty referees are [[Referee#Identifying_a_Ref|identified]] by their black-and-gold livery - when Nick's not wearing this he's just another player - Raff''). My role is primarily dealing with general questions, performing [[create bond|bondings]], processing rituals, and reffing Anvil combat such as the Dawnish tourney or the Imperial Orc fighting pit. I also do whatever miscellaneous stuff the ref team require. <br /> <br /> Come the battles I join the battle ref team where I tend to act as a roaming ref covering mass combat. As an IC archer I’m often asked to keep an eye of archery safety on the field (''Nick made [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcKZxfaO4ks this helpful video] for example which is helpful watching for anyone doing LRP archery - Raff'')<br /> <br /> As a player referee, I am limited in that I cannot hold an [[Imperial title]], or get highly involved with certain parts of the game (''Even though he's a player, Nick abides by the same rules about what he can and can't do IC as the rest of the event crew - Raff''), but it has suited my game (and enjoyment) to help out like this for several years – I’m never bored or slowing down during time in. This role takes me all over the field and it always amazes me the detail in every corner. I also never forget how much of a position of trust I am in. <br /> <br /> Like most refs I stop at time-out on Sunday, hand my radio/tablet in and pack up my IC kit ready for next time.<br /> <br /> ==Occasional Monster==<br /> * ''Mark is one of the people responsible for wrangling the [[Current_crewing_opportunities#Skirmish_Team_.2810_spaces.29|Skirmish team]], but he also writes some plot, and plays monster and NPC roles throughout the event. Here he's writing a little about what he does, and a little about what Skirmish team as a whole do.''<br /> Sometimes I’m a monster<br /> <br /> During downtime I write plot, but for events I tend to wear several hats. At the event I'm mostly the quartermaster for the Skirmish crew, and when I get a chance I'm a monster on quests, battles, and skirmishes.<br /> <br /> My event prep normally starts about four weeks before the events where I normally am writing up my plots and hatching my ‘evil’ plans. I tend to try and have them in a finished state at least two weeks before the event kicks off so I can get final sign off from Matt and Andy. The next week is spent double checking I've made any props I need, and checking I have back up of plot briefs in case of IT issues on site. (''Which never, ever, ever happen - Raff'')<br /> <br /> Then comes the joy of the event. On Thursday morning I'll start heading up to site from the sunny south. On arrival I'll do some light set-up in monster, and join others in Skirmish crew to set up any special surprises planed for the battles (e.g. the fort from last event).<br /> <br /> Friday is when the real work begins, though, As soon as we have about eight crew together we begin unpacking the Skirmish crew container. We have a mix of light, medium and heavy armour, typically around thirty sets of each. Once all the other boxes are unpacked, there is always one hated box remaining - the box of chain (well mostly ring mail). Again there is about thirty sets in there, so skirmish crew put the &quot;chain&quot; in &quot;chain-gang&quot; as we lug it all into monster. We will spend the next few hours getting it all set up and easy to access so when we really need that ‘awesome druj blood soaked apron’ we can find it quickly. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Mark Pickering.png|caption=Mark Pickering.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> By this time its normally around 16:00, when the skirmish crew will go out for some fight training run by Gary aka ‘evil’. After this we get our time honoured briefing from the Skirmish boss (Andy Connell), and then the crew are split into two teams - team Plot and team War.<br /> <br /> Team War - the larger of the two teams - monsters quests in support of the military campaign. The skirmishes they take part in range from an elite unit of [[Jotun]] [[Elite_Jotun_troops#Skjaldir|Skjaldir]] to injured [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops just trying to get home. At the same time team Plot, generally the smaller team, will be monstering skirmishes in support of plot lines. These could be anything form a lost [[Legendary_beasts#Mandowla|mandowla]] to drugged-up bandits. Either way fun is guaranteed. Typically one team will be in the woods and the other in the field, and fight three or four twenty-minute quests with a ten minute breather between each, then go back to monster for a longer rest and re-kit.<br /> <br /> On Friday we start around half six which, after the briefing, means we just have time to grab food then we start prepping for the first encounter of the event. Our next proper break comes around 22:00.This is when we hear what battles the heroes of the Empire have chosen, and get our battle plans form Andy C. Then I and a few others will begin to prepare for tomorrow's batte, doing jobs such as sorting out base layers and the like. Then I run round all the toilet blocks putting up the &quot;what you need to bring&quot; signs for Tom (''Thomas Hancocks - Raff''). I'll then get back to monster for the Elite Military Unit briefing at midnight, after which ill do a bit of tidying, and find out how my plots went, just in time for bed at 01:00. (''Elite Military Units are the player volunteer bands of monsters with specific roles who'll take part in the next day' battles - Raff'')<br /> <br /> Saturday rolls on. I'll normally be up by 07:30 sorting out my kit ready for the battle. Then I grab a quick breakfast, before finishing kitting up, and getting the battle prep boards out the front of monster. A few skirmish crew will stay behind to help players kit up, but the rest will head on out to the field. When all the crew are ready and we get the okay from Tom to start letting the players thought (around 09:30), we will start briefing and counting the volunteer monsters. I'll spend the next hour counting/briefing and helping out with any issues that come up. We will close monster at around 10:30 (Graeme Jamieson gives us the shout when to stop), at which point I'll ether run out to join the monsters or help with battle logistics depending on the need. Either way I normally arrive on the field just as the players are about to enter so it’s all a bit of a rush. But a glorious battle awaits! <br /> <br /> After the battle we will help sort out the battle prep tent, then go to Andy’s debrief on what worked well and what didn’t. After a quick lunch I'll tidy monster up and prep kit for the afternoon quests. We will pick up again with the patterns of three-four quests followed by a break and do this until around 18:00 which we break for lunch. By this point we are usually beginning to lag a little, and lunch is a welcome break. After this we are back to fighting again until about 22:00 when we again start to get ready for the next day’s battle with a briefing. Saturday night is much the same as Friday night, and gain I finally roll in bed around 01:00 ready for war the next day.<br /> <br /> Sunday morning's battle unfolds like Saturday's, but afterward we split into two. Half of the team search the battlefield for lost property (which is sent to GOD), and do some litter picking. The rest help me pack down monster. At current rate we seem to finish take down just in time for Time Out, and the end of the event. <br /> <br /> Over the weekend, between the two teams we will have fought two battles and around thirty quests.Skirmish crew is exhausting, but it's always a joy to fight alongside such mad keeners. My personal pet favourites are playing Druj and unliving husks, but hey who wouldn’t want to be the baddies, who know they have skulls on their hats? I have been spray painted black, duct taped into monster costumes, died in a sinking muddy puddle, but not once have I ever considered stopping - after all the Hundred live to die!<br /> <br /> ==Three-thousand, six-hundred Freddos==<br /> * ''Lou Ardent is the head of the crew welfare team who make sure that PD crew are fed and watered throughout the weekend.''<br /> <br /> Hi, my name’s Lou, I'm non-binary, queer and utterly amazing (at least that’s what people tell me whilst I'm doing my job and I tend to believe them). My very first encounter with any of the crew was during Odyssey, One of the crew members came over to the camp looking for help building parts of the fighting arena. I got chatting to some people whilst there and found out that you could get your event ticket, meals and even a drink for free. Being a poor student at the time, this seemed like a great way to attend the event and give back to the community. I came for the food, I stuck around for the camaraderie, community and fulfilling emotions of it all. I actually started out as a redcap but went looking for other things to do and found myself in the crew hut cleaning up. From there it didn't take The previous HoD, Maria, long to snap me up and make me an official member of the Crew Welfare team. Since then my events have seen me take on more responsibilities. <br /> <br /> I’m now head of the crew welfare department so my event usually starts before I even reach the field. I contact the other heads of department and collate an order to be delivered to site. I also arrange for Morrisons to deliver to the site throughout the week. On the Monday before the event i set off and arrive on site, I put up my tent, set up my bed and sometimes I'll assess the state of the crew welfare hut and make a plan of action for the following day. This occasionally involves finding mysterious objects that have appeared in the hut because there was nowhere else to put them. If the previous event was a muddy one, I empty out the hut, wipe down the higher surfaces, scrape the mud off the floor using a handy garden hoe and then mop. I go through and arrange whatever supplies were left after the last event and set out the hut in a manner which makes everything easy to find. <br /> <br /> Wednesdays see me up at 8:30 am to grab breakfast, finish any organising and cleaning in preparation for the Morrison's and wholesalers deliveries. This tends to be several crates of perishables and 2 to 3 pallets stacked high with all sorts of goodies for the various departments. The rest of my day is spent sorting through these, putting some of it in the hut and delivering the rest to the bar and toilet teams. I also prepare a cooked meal for those on crew who eat keto. I try to be done by 6pm because then I find one of the Penningtons and go buy 30-40 pizzas, plus a few kebabs for the crew. <br /> <br /> The rest of the week is much the same, I tidy, clean, restock and problem solve. I take orders from all the teams for any supplies they need and go get them. I remind, and sometimes force, people to eat, although most of the crew seem to have gotten quite good at this now. I also make sure people have hydrated, put on sunscreen and are not overdoing things. From Wednesday onwards I set out a buffet in the crew tent for people to make sandwiches and deliver supplies to those who can't always get to the hut. If it’s a hot event we sometimes get the paddling pool out. <br /> <br /> Sundays I do my regular duties but I also start to prepare for the crew party. This time it’s a Keto friendly meal, keto friendly dessert, Kebabs, Indian and around 80 Pizzas plus Cake! It’s a lot of work and was definitely a learning experience the first time, but I've got a system worked out now. <br /> <br /> Monday morning after the party I do a cooked breakfast of sausage, bacon and vegan sausage barms (fried eggs on request). Then it’s clearing out the leftover pizza and cake from the food hall and putting out lunch. <br /> <br /> 3600 Freddos later, before I leave on the Tuesday, I do much the reverse of my arrival and pack everything into containers, clean down and take anything that won't survive to the next event to a food bank. <br /> <br /> Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do this on my own and have a wonderful team who help me not only do my job, but who make sure I'm following my own advice of eating and hydrating. <br /> <br /> We do what we do so that everyone else has the energy and executive function to do their jobs. This also includes providing a warm and welcoming environment.<br /> <br /> ==Gin, Sweat, and Tents==<br /> * ''You may have seen Tom Butterworth dashing hither and yon at events, sometimes with a clipboard, always with a red cap and a friendly can-do attitude. He heads up the [[Site_crew#Site_set-up_and_take-down|set-up and take-down]] crew who are responsible ultimately for taking Anvil out of its box before an event and then putting it back in its box after everyone has gone home.''<br /> <br /> I manage one of the key site teams and do a bunch of trouble shooting on the field during set up. I often get the impression that people think I somehow work miracles at Empire. If only!<br /> <br /> My team is most accurately described as the Tent team; if it’s canvas and it’s PD’s, we’re responsible for it. This means we’re visibly out on the IC field and tend to handle lots of other things as well, from deploying benches and emptying bins to helping players with problems. We have anything to do with the running of the electrics team or toilets, or provide running water to the site - separate teams that handle those areas. While we’re all part of site (under our glorious leader, Ali Pennington) our team is the one people usually mean when they refer to the ‘Red Hats’. <br /> <br /> I have a measure of responsibility for the Traffic Team (also part of site) who organizes everyone’s OC camping and parking, but in reality that is entirely handled by the ever-adept Wayne Newton and his capable team, I’m rarely more than a backstop for any tricky decisions he has to make. <br /> <br /> I contribute to my team’s efforts in two significant ways: I arrive with a plan of action and I co-ordinate efforts on the field. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Tommy-B.jpg|caption=Tom Butterworth|title=You can tell this picture is old because of the pristine look of the red hat.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Everything I do is about minimizing effort to maximize productivity. Many PD players and crew have great memories of Red Hats stepping into the breach, hurling themselves at physically strenuous tasks in terrible weather, with few resources other than their muscles, improvisational skill and determination. <br /> <br /> The times when we have to do those things are often great examples of a dedicated team of volunteers pulling together to overcome adversity. They are also an indication that something has gone wrong which could perhaps have been thought about days or weeks before and thus been prevented. So I try and plan to do things the easiest, most efficient way and save our proverbial spoons for the storm winds, the emergency repairs, the mad panic as we look for a tent to replace something that won’t do the job and so on. <br /> <br /> I also often end up linking activities between other teams. You can’t put power in a tent or set dress a tent or send players to a tent until that tent is up, so by necessity I’m either informing or being informed by other teams as to their locations and activities. I’m not in charge of what they do, but I do end up as a de facto coordinator. <br /> <br /> Having a lot of information pass through me to others is probably why my team and I often gets called in to deal with problems that don’t quite fall into any other category. Most of the time that’s fine, though Thursday set up is usually pretty mental…when you’re half way through a complex radio conversation and several people are stood in front of you trying to ask you questions at the same time the brain does sometimes melt! <br /> <br /> (I rarely succeed at reminding myself that I’m only one person at times like this, though usually friends remind me of such later on, when I’m unpacking the day out loud over beer/gin).<br /> <br /> Other things I do during setup include providing backup for Camp Planners if they hit problems, liaising with traders and caterers for their set up (again, usually only if there’s problems), ensuring the structure and roofs on the tavern and bar are safe and secure (my team will usually handle that work if there are issues). Other things come up and in my role of joining the dots together they sometimes come to me…it’s varied, to say the least.<br /> <br /> There are also a couple of key things I keep an eye on during the run up to an event. <br /> <br /> 3-4 weeks before each event I’ll generally start prodding people in my team to see who is available. Knowing how many people we will have is an inexact science but I ask on the FB group and chivvy people into responding via PM or email. If we have new crew I go through a slightly more lengthily process of explaining what’s involved, making sure they know who to talk to and where to go when they first turn up, that kind of thing. <br /> <br /> On the run up to the event I put together a job list for the team, which includes the tents we have to put up and other odds and sods (benches, repair jobs, finding wee Andy’s toys if he’s lost them). I operate on the principle that I should provide as much information as possible to everyone I can. I’m not sure how helpful that is, but we seem to get through it most events! <br /> <br /> Another thing I do is dividing the Red Hats into tent teams, usually teams of 4 one of which is an experienced Team Leader with a radio (the Team Leaders, by the way, are the core of the team, constantly problem-solving and improvising while leading and swinging a sledge hammer). Sometimes this feels a little futile - people clump together and work with each other as they turn up and are available, so sometimes a proscribed team won’t ever materialize, but when it does work it works well and everyone arrives knowing they have a Team Leader to report to, even if things often change due to circumstances. <br /> <br /> There’s a map that the camp planners put their camp plans on, which I nominally supervise. They do a ton of work on this, organizing what their IC nation camp will look like, from which they inform me where the PD hire tents will go. Once that’s done, and I know which PD tents are going where, I use that information together with the spreadsheet that tells me the contents of the large, brown boxes with numbers on you see littered about the field (sometimes referred to as ‘coffins’) and produce what we call the Box Map. This logistical exercise basically ensures that, when it goes to plan, the complete tent that a team needs is in a box where it should go. <br /> <br /> As part of that I work very closely with Steve Thomason, one of our tele-handler drivers, who has the job of making sure the coffins are in the right places on the field. I get him the map and he deploys the coffins! He’s my hero. <br /> <br /> That’s assuming that I haven’t made mistakes in deploying those boxes, which I normally do, so we have to shuffle them around a bit! <br /> <br /> Actually I’m being a bit unfair to myself there…. those issues are usually related to the previous takedown. <br /> <br /> Because takedown of the previous event often happens with an ever-dwindling number of tired people and the information I receive on what has gone into the boxes is never 100% accurate, there’s always a certain amount of re-shuffling of misplaced resources to be done during setup. <br /> <br /> During takedown, I supervise the process of packing away every tent and our other equipment as much as possible. This is really important as unless we pack down carefully and record where we’ve stored things, life becomes very difficult for the next event. “Surprise tent in a box!” is a nice problem to have but missing parts from a tent in a box are less so. <br /> <br /> One of my key jobs during setup is to ensure that this resource re-shuffle is happening ahead of the work the tent teams are doing - usually with the help of Steve and the tele-handler.<br /> <br /> Many of our problems occur if it rains just before or during takedown. On those occasions it falls to Ali and usually a very small team to do takedown days or even week after the event once the weather improves and canvas is dry. This is where we often struggle with things not being put where others might expect them, or separated…generally a wet takedown means a difficult setup for the following event as we’re still recovering. For my role it’s a nightmare as it means next setup I’ll be running round the field, flinging lids of boxes to discover their true contents. Recently we’ve evolved a system whereby anyone still working on site during a late takedown just texts me the details of wherever they’ve put things, which I can then keep a record of - that seems to work okay! <br /> <br /> After the event, once I’ve got home and readjusted to life inside a building, I record everything I can onto a spreadsheet for next time. <br /> <br /> Essentially my job is to make sure that whether its setup or takedown, the Red Hats can do their jobs with a minimum of too-ing and fro-ing. Again, a certain amount of frustration is inevitable - there’s going to be something that wasn’t put back somewhere sensible - but I try and minimize that as much as possible. I am hopeful that now we finally have a storage container with shelves (lovely shelves!) and labeled storage crates, those issues will continue to improve. <br /> <br /> Being crew at a PD event is, much like the hobby of LRP itself, an entirely co-operative game; the more you do to help everyone else do what they’re doing, the easier things will be when it’s your turn. While PD has by necessity had to expand and have more specialized teams, this remains the core philosophy of the Red Hats and I think it’s still a vital part of how we run games. I hope we can continue to deliver that attitude and support the teams who do the really cool stuff.<br /> <br /> ==Won't Somebody Think of the Orphans?==<br /> * ''During events Liam Spinage is busy as one-half of the Urizen egregore. Between events, in addition to moderating the Urizen player Facebook group, he's part of the player support team with special responsibility for reading and approving backgrounds - he also occasionally writes IC Empire novels. Here he's talking about player backgrounds (which you can learn more about on the [[Background|background]] page).<br /> As well as being an Egregore and moderator for my nation Facebook group, I read all the backgrounds for characters and groups submitted to PD.<br /> <br /> Usually this takes up one evening a week, every week, over the summer – there are often a few hundred new backgrounds to read between events as new players come on board and old ones create new characters after their previous ones have met some grisly/tragic/glorious/heroic demise.<br /> <br /> Between Event 4 and the New Year I give myself a little rest (by ‘rest’ I mean ‘write Empire fic’) and then start looking at newly submitted backgrounds again ready for Event 1.<br /> <br /> I mostly look for two things in backgrounds. Firstly, there are a number of tags I can add to a character which helps flag them up to the plot team.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Liam Spinage.jpg|caption=Liam Spinage|title=You'd think he'd be into gin, but mostly it seems to be vodka.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> '''Who are you?'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Is your character a criminal or heretic? There are plenty of ways this information can come to light in the game world, even if those acts are in your dim and distant past. Are you medic, military, messenger, militia? These are all elements we can flag to our plot team.<br /> <br /> '''What do you want?'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Do you seek the boons of a specific Eternal, or have a particular axe to grind with one of the Empire’s many enemies? Are you interested in heroics, politics, theatrics, economics? Our plot team can search on all these tags which helps them to formulate and direct plot.<br /> <br /> The other thing I keep an eye out for are elements in backstory which don’t fit with the setting of Empire. There are some submissions we reject, or ask for clarification on but these tend to be few and far between. You can’t come from a foreign land that isn’t on the map, you can’t be a death knight, your fleet can’t be a yellow submarine. <br /> <br /> We encourage you to look at the nation brief for your chosen nation before you submit a background; pay attention to its traditions, naming conventions, archetypes and you’ll fit into your chosen nation better and have a more fun event for it.<br /> <br /> I’ve seen all sorts of backgrounds since we started – some tragic, some inspiring, some less so. That’s OK – what defines you as a character is what you do at Anvil and going forward. Backgrounds are there to give you a reminder of who you are as much as your nation, lineage and skill choices do. They’re a good springboard for your interactions with others as well as for our plot team to look over.<br /> <br /> And yes, there are a lot of orphans out there. The world is a harsh place.<br /> <br /> ==I'd Have Done Mine But==<br /> * ''Harry Harrold has been doing Profound Decision games since before it was popular. You may remember him from a number of roles including spending all his time in an arena asking if the gods were entertained at the top of his voice. Right now he plays John of Meade, who along with Amy Woodhead fulfills the complex role of [[Speaker for the Senate]]. In response to repeated requests to write something, he instead provided a list of excuses as to why he couldn't do them.''<br /> I'd have done mine, but I had to drink cocktails instead. <br /> <br /> I'd have done the paperwork by now, but these cushions won't sit on themselves you know... <br /> <br /> I'd go to over-the-hedge meetings with the constitutional court, but Amy Woodhead can still be bribed with rhubarb gin to go in my place. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine, but I finish work at 11pm, then we go to the bar. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=John of Meade.jpg|caption=Harry Harrold|title=He means it about the cookery competitions.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> I'd have done some writing, but it's more fun helping citizens navigate their way round our procedures to get shit done... and managing their expectations, so when they *do* get excited about doing something, it's less likely to fail for some logistical reason beyond their control. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine, but my &quot;characterisation&quot; is just a minimum facade to cover what's really a purely logistical role - most of the time, anyway. I mean, I've been known to take unscheduled breaks to play foot-the-ball, and you can't play foot-the-ball and do paperwork at the same time - not even when you're on wide defense - unless the ball has got in the tavern somehow. In which case it's dead until removed, which only happens by mutual agreement of both team captains and at least one priest. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine but I was on my way to or from the Senate building. I'm very happy with the current site layout, which puts the Academy, the Hub and decent toilets within 50 metres of each other. With five trips to the Senate, that's pretty much my weekend sorted. <br /> <br /> I've run out of excuses it seems. Amy Woodhead and I are [[Speaker for the Senate|Speakers for the Senate]]. We're responsible for holding the coats while the politicians fight it out. Most of that game is out in the field, in constantly changing teams of hundreds. We're there to keep the score, when voting happens at Senate sessions, and keep accurate paperwork. We're also there to manage Senate sessions so they're as dramatic as possible for folk who aren't *specifically* involved. And run to time. We are also unbribeable, with all donations going on a spreadsheet, for the amusement of those the players keen enough to read the whole wiki. (''They are also entered in the [[Register of civil service gifts]] - Raff'')<br /> <br /> John Of Meade is also available to judge cookery competitions.<br /> <br /> ==Exhausting But Worth It==<br /> * ''Robin Tynan is a hard-working Blue Cap, part of the [[Referee#GOD|GOD]] team who deal with admin and general queries. They've written about what their event entails, and about some of the less obvious tasks Blue Caps can end up doing.''<br /> Hi I’m Robin! I’ve been playing PD events since 2008 but only jumped the fence to crewing at the start of this year. Now I have four events of being in GOD under my belt and I love it!<br /> <br /> Other than maybe a quick bit of Skype training with Waz (the boss) if there’s been any changes to the database, my Event starts on Thursday morning.<br /> <br /> As soon as we arrive it’s work time. The Red Caps will have the tent up and most of the electrics in by then, but it’s our job to make sure the computers are set up, plugged in and working, get the player pack boxes out, and get all the other bits and bobs needed to run an event in place and organised. We may also spend some time getting last minute plot documents, ribbons or items into people’s players packs as well as getting those last packs printed, packed and into the right boxes. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Ezra.png|caption=Robin Tynan|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Thursday’s are pretty busy but we have a good laugh doing it - the stereo is on and we have a good energy going. Well sort of keeping us going. I am one of the many members of crew who has a disability and there are times when I need to rest. I usually have to take a nap mid afternoon, but that means I am free and able to get on the front desk if we open up on Thursday evening. Waz and the rest of the senior GOD members are lovely and understand that we have to look after ourselves if we want to be a functional team. <br /> <br /> We usually don’t stay in GOD until late on Thursday as we are saving ourselves for the next day. I’m usually out of GOD by 9pm and have a little time to socialise before getting an early night as I know I’ll need my energy for the weekend to come!<br /> <br /> Friday sees us all in GOD by 9:30 after the heads of department have had their meeting. This gives me time to have breakfast, coffee (I love the coffee stand so much) and say hi to friends before getting to work. Friday mornings are all about last minute training and brushing up on odd queries as well as the inevitable last minute player packs. Waz and his deputies will decide what tasks we are going to be on for the day and check our rotas with us. Then I’ll scurry off for a quick snack and cup of tea, or to make sure we have everything we need before 12. At 11:55 we’ll all be in our places running through our personal checklists (where’s my pen? Did I take my meds? Have I got time to run to the loo?) before the tent doors open to players.<br /> <br /> I usually start on the Concessions desk - it lets me sit down so I don’t end up too exhausted or in pain. I’ll spend a frantic couple of hours there checking your IDs and handing out player packs. I absolutely love seeing you all come through, getting to meet you and hopefully sorting out any problems. <br /> Then it’s 2pm and we close for lunch and a well needed break. I don’t know about the others but I get super dehydrated - all that talking, laughter and my water bottle always runs out. So now is time for lunch, maybe a quick nap and rehydrate. Once self care is dealt with it’s back to printing out and filling any new player packs from gate bookings and checking everything is still working smoothly. <br /> <br /> Then we open again at 4pm. We are open then from 4pm until 1am and it is pretty none stop for the entire time. We do get breaks for dinner of course and it’s nice to stretch my legs and see everybody getting ready to go time in. I’ll still be on the concession desk for this period and the enthusiasm of players is fantastic. Later in the evening we will all have some time in the rota off which we can use to go IC if we want. I generally have mine organised so I can head to bed at 11pm - it just suits my health best that way though I am sometimes tempted to kit up and head onto the field. <br /> <br /> Saturday morning is another 9:30am start getting ready to open at 10am. At this point I am starting to feel it! The main rush for player packs has eased up by now so though I am still sat at the same computer, as well as sorting out concession player packs I will also start taking general enquiries which can be anything from bonding an item to sorting out a gate payment to doing some exciting magic for you. A lot of the time it can be uncertain if a question we get is something we can help with as GOD or if it requires a Ref or member of plot. I’ll always do my best to help but if you see me looking properly confused it’s probably because it’s something I need to refer to a Ref. <br /> <br /> Saturday morning also brings with it a slew of players who sadly lost their character in battle. As well as the admin of activating a new character or helping with character creation I also like to take the time to chat to every player. Pretty much everybody in GOD has had a character die at some point and we know it can feel a bit crap. We also know it can be awesome and the source of amazing roleplay and stories. I always like to find out how characters died and do my best to make it a good death for players, especially those with less LARP experience.<br /> <br /> At some point on Saturday I get time to kit up and head on to the field to play (after another nap probably). This is always great fun. GOD crew have proper player characters but because of the time we spend in GOD and the access we have to back-of-house stuff we have some restrictions on what we can do - we don’t hold imperial titles and priests can’t have congregations (because it throws off the synod votes). But that doesn’t mean I can’t really get into the game and have some fun with my group in Highguard.<br /> <br /> After some dinner I am usually back in GOD for the evening until we close for the night at 1am. Because we are the easy OC point of contact for players we often act as a kind of “triage” for player questions. Most of the questions players have are GOD related and we can help with right away but there are times when we may need to refer you to other departments such as the ref team, player welfare, monster or accessibility. No matter what time is it I am always happy to talk to a player or even crew member and see how we can help them. It keeps the job interesting and varied. <br /> <br /> By Saturday night I am normally tired and aching but things slow down a little - the camaraderie of the rest of GOD always keeps me going until we close. We spend a little bit of time shutting down computers and tidying up before it’s off to bed.<br /> <br /> Sunday is another 9:30 start and much as the previous day I fire up a computer and get started with general enquiries - after breakfast and coffee of course. We start the wind down early on Sundays and I might start the day with breaking down unclaimed character packs or filing away things that haven’t been used that event. We get busy post battle, and again I always try and take time to chat to those players who have lost a character.<br /> <br /> At some point on Sunday as players start to pack down their camps we get resources being handed in. There is usually a team member or two supervising the hand-ins and then myself and another team member will start to log them all into the system. It’s slow at first with time to answer other enquiries but as the day goes on my focus is entirely on booking in resources. Once time out is called, we have a quick break for a team meeting which is always lovely, but then it’s straight back to the hand in baggies! All-in-all I may be working solely on those hand-ins from 11am until 5pm. We aim to have as much of GOD packed away and ready to go to storage by 5pm (give or take) so it’s all hands on deck to get that done. <br /> <br /> Then we say our goodbyes.<br /> <br /> I stay on site that night for a crew meal and to catch up with friends (plus my partner is a redcap and there until Monday) and get some well deserved rest until the next event. It’s exhausting but totally worth it.<br /> <br /> ==Security APPROVED==<br /> * ''Sandy has been part of the security team for two years; she helps keep us safe while we sleep (among other jobs).''<br /> Hi, I’m Sandy from the security team, and here is my account of what we do at events (naturally, all sensitive information has been redacted ;-) ).<br /> <br /> We are on duty every night of the event from 1am until 8.30 to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. On Thursday, it’s just our team: [NAME REDACTED] known as “The Boss” and [NAMES REDACTED] known as “The Minions”. The best place to find us is the crew welfare hut located between GOD and Monster; even when we’re out on patrol, we regularly return there. On Friday and Saturday nights we are joined by the lovely first aiders. While we roam around, they stay in their warm little home by GOD, so if you need help, head straight there and they will summon us.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cherry Matcham.jpg|caption=Sandy Wragg|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Our shift starts at [BAR NAME REDACTED] where we help the staff to close down for the night. Then we proceed to the welfare hut for a nice hot brew to get us ready for the first patrol. And then we walk, and walk, and walk some more, returning to the hut from time to time for more caffeine and sugar. The site is really big now - it stretches all the way from [FIELD NAME REDACTED] to [LAKE NAME REDACTED] - and we visit each area at least twice during the night. <br /> <br /> What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). In my two years with the team, we dealt with anything from first aid incidents to tent troubles to overflowing showers. Sometimes, more serious things happen; other times, nothing at all. <br /> <br /> Our main concern are the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important job requirement.<br /> <br /> What I like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. People often talk about sounds and smells of Anvil - to me it sounds like gentle noises of sleeping people, and smells like fresh grass in the morning. A night in Anvil is a very peaceful, relaxing time (well, once partying is over). The nature is amazing too: falling stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest...<br /> <br /> My favourite bit is when, just after sunrise, we visit [CAMP NAME REDACTED] and put their lanterns out. The sun comes into the forest much later than to the rest of the field so, while there may be light outside, here the night magic still lingers...<br /> <br /> ==The Secret Life of Bog Otters==<br /> * ''Ben Stevens heads up the hygeine team at Empire. As he says... no toilets means no event.''<br /> The Bog Otter, in it's native habitat, can be frequently observed utilising tools, such as the plunger...okay enough of that. The hygiene team is one of the less desirable yet critically important jobs on the field. <br /> <br /> As no toilets of course, means no event.<br /> <br /> The sight of us running around, plunger in blue stained hands, shouting about “brown trout” is a fairly rare one and the better things are going, the less of us you'll actually see. The job is a bit like an iceberg, with most of the stuff happening quietly behind the scenes, with a lot of prep before, a fair bit of upkeep during and then a bunch of clearing up afterwards.<br /> .{{CaptionedImage|file=BenStevens.jpg |align=right|width=300|caption=Ben Stevens|title=Without the bog otters... no event.}}<br /> My event starts about 3 or 4 weeks before the actual start date, at the crew prep weekends. This is where the deep cleaning and major repairs, such as boiler replacement, pump servicing and such like go on. It allows us to try to stay on top of the inevitable wear and tear that 2000 odd bottoms will do to the toilets!<br /> Then it's a case of showing up on Wednesday or Thursday to actually get them operating. Running power to them, filling up the waste tank with water n blue and stocking the consumables.<br /> <br /> The actual event is a bit more hectic, with an 8.30 start to go pump out the tanks before time in and refill them with fresh water n chem, so that they are fresh for time in. This is also when any tools, consumables and spare parts get ordered every day, to make sure we don't run out of the vital stuff. Then during the day it's half a dozen at minimum checks on the stock levels, making sure the secret storage boxes are loaded and ready and bins emptied. Plus making sure the bogs are reasonably clean, making sure the showers storage tanks have water along with gas for the boilers, as well as filling the tanks to refill the toilets the next day.<br /> And of course, any repairs or emergencies that need to be dealt with.<br /> <br /> Then on Sunday around 5, all of those nice hire blocks need to be cleaned down so that we can return them in the condition we received them in.<br /> This takes me and three others about 3 hours to do, then we can finally relax and have a shower. But, it's not all over yet!<br /> <br /> Before I leave on Monday, all of the storage tanks need to be emptied from the toilets and replaced with clean water. All tools and stock boxes collected, all bins emptied n put away, power disconnected and the main storage cabin tidied Then, in the evening I get to go home and rest my weary little otter head.<br /> <br /> So there you have it, an insight into the very literal PD “S**t job” but someone really does have to do it.<br /> <br /> And oddly, I'm happy for it to be me as there is always something new to learn and something (often gross) to discover.<br /> <br /> Certainly beats a desk job!<br /> <br /> ==Weekend in the Life==<br /> * ''This piece was written by Jonathon Cooper, a fairly new ref, after the Autumn Equinox 382YE. It recounts a day in the life of a (fairly new) ref.''<br /> I started reffing two events ago, having been a player for 3 years. Normally refs focus on either field reffing or skirmish and battle reffing, but having just started I've recently experienced all three, so I thought I'd write about it.<br /> <br /> Getting to site, I check in with Emma and set up my tent, then head to GOD to get my tools of the trade ready. Printing off and guillotining my Signs and Portents pack, checking out my radio and tablet and making sure I have my notebook (essential for writing down details of rituals and bondings in places the wifi doesn't reach) and picking up traumatic wounds. After that I hit the field before time in to catch up with friends. After time in it's difficult to interact with people socially, being an incorporeal part of the fabric of reality, so I really value the time I get to spend with them while timed out.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Jonathon Cooper.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Jonathon Cooper}}<br /> '''Field Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> After time in I start doing what I spend most of my weekend doing - field reffing. I head to the regio and gate, expecting there to be people who need rituals processed and items bonded before they go on their first skirmishes, and sure enough there are many. After clearing that backlog I start walking the field. After checking things are under control at the regio, I set off on my chosen route through Urizen and the Brass Coast to Dawn and Wintermark, through the back alley to Navarr and the Imperial Orcs, then turn around and do the same again, being available for people to grab me if they need me. This role involves a lot of walking. Interspersed with that are calls over the radio for free refs to process things, such as a Signs and Portents party, or (my favourite) reffing a cursing.<br /> <br /> '''Battle Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> On Saturday instead of going to the field I head straight to monster where the battle refs are mustering. For battles we need more refs than the crew ref team can handle, so some players put on tabards to help out. We're briefed on any special rules for the battlefield, what the player objectives are and any information we've been given from players and monsters on what they're planning, which players and monsters have mass effect rituals, etc, all so we can make good decisions about where to be, where crushes might appear and how to resolve them. The refs and medics then do a battlefield walk together to make sure everyone knows the likely locations for fighting, and we look for specific hazards and how we plan to handle them. Saturday's battle was almost entirely on the field, so this was simple and brief, but on Sunday we had a much more in-depth inspection of the woods and fort area, planning how we'd handle fighting around the fort and ensuring we all knew the landmarks to describe our location if we needed to summon a medic, since navigation is harder in the woods.<br /> <br /> This battle had two miasma pillars, and I volunteered to handle one, standing nearby and calling out the effect to people that strayed too near. Once the battle moved off from my pillar I joined the other refs watching the battle lines, making sure fallen people aren't stepped on, ensuring rules are followed properly and handling Man Downs (none for me today thankfully). I also spent some time checking in on fallen players, letting them know the terminal rules and that they're doing ok OC.<br /> <br /> After the battlefield is timed out the refs gather and we have a debrief, talking about what went well and what could have gone better as a ref team, and raising any specific problems.<br /> <br /> '''Skirmish Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Saturday afternoon I'd asked to ref some skirmishes. We have two concurrent skirmish teams going and I joined the team working in the woods. We'd start by finding our plot writer, get the briefing and any special conditions we need to be aware of. We ask how the skirmish is expected to go, and also plan for what should happen if things don't go as planned - I didn't expect a fight to kick off between summer heralds and players on the senate floor, but you have to be prepared for if it does! The skirmish and plot crew get themselves kitted up and ready, then one ref heads to the gate to meet the players while everyone else set up in the woods. The players open the gate and then we take them to the woods entrance, and the skirmish happens. As refs we then stand back and handle safety, rules and the occasional Man Down, while the skirmish unfolds as played out by the NPC crew and players, though sometimes we need to step in to give briefings for specific events such as rituals. I can't go in to too many details about happenings on quests, but highlights from this event were some highly entertaining exorcisms and some players encountering their ancestors.<br /> <br /> Each team runs a quest every 30 minutes, each lasting 20 minutes, so after we finish one we get a short break, then we start the cycle again. Time to track down a plot writer...<br /> <br /> ==She Doesn't Even Go Here==<br /> * ''Clare Evans is an old hand at Profound Decisions and the second member of the Game Team to write about the Autumn Equinox event. She has a lot of responsibilities which come roughly together under the heading of &quot;Player Support&quot; - organising the egregores, civil servants, Academy, and Three Refrains; heading up the New Player team; and working with the Conduct team among other jobs.''<br /> “You should do one yourself” <br /> <br /> My first thought was that would give the secret away and everyone would know that I mostly drink tea and gossip at events. So between events I answer emails to the new player email address, the backgrounds address and by PM. These are mostly directing people to the most helpful area of the wiki, helping them with confidence to come to the event, helping with backgrounds and answering the strangest most unpredictable questions about life in the Empire you can think of. I exist in a permanent guilt bubble about not answering these fast enough as my real life job takes a lot of my time. I also plan schedules for player support events before time in, sweet talk people into field NPC roles and take part in conduct meetings and decisions. I also try to post on the Empire LRP and Player Support pages highlighting parts of the game and wiki that would be good to read and brush up on the rules/style of the game. Then there’s finalising crew levels and requirements for them from GOD and admin. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=ClareEvans.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Clare Evans|title=Our glorious leader.}}<br /> Every Wednesday there’s a Skype meeting which covers everything from tiny rules change details, to battle numbers, to ethical decisions about how we run our game. <br /> <br /> I also try and manage the field NPC kit and prop needs. <br /> <br /> The week before the event I finalise the Player Support for the event and post it online. I make sure everyone has the kit and props they need. Check that Dave is ok to print briefs for the egregores, bards and civil service. Pack the van and go to work for the week. Wednesday night I go to Als, make sure I’ve answered all the emails I can before the event and drink rum. <br /> <br /> Thursday morning I go to site via a shop to buy cherry coke and as many lollipops as possible to keep people quiet in the new player meetings. Then there’s a big breakfast and a quick psyche up session before getting to site. <br /> <br /> I check in with Andy, Matt and Graeme, talk to as many of my team as possible and distribute meal tickets to them as I see them. Thursday evening my team and I meet outside the Senate building and talk to everyone we can find who looks like they might be new, might need company or otherwise doesn’t move fast enough to get away from us. Usually at this point I find someone who’s at their first event alone and take them off to meet people. <br /> <br /> Friday morning starts with tea and the Heads of Department meeting in GOD where we get a general overview of how things are going and anything to be aware of over the weekend. I don’t usually have much to add at this point as I’ve not really started. <br /> <br /> I then move all my things about to the correct places, get stuff down to the Hub, talk to anyone I see from the night before and get a pep talk about it being ok. <br /> <br /> The new player meetings start at 2 and we run two of them most events. Friday then disappears into a blur of being reassuring, excited about all the new people about to have their first event and checking the other scheduled events go off ok. We’ve been running more and more each event nd I’m really excited about how it’s all developing. Last event I went to the start of the Public Speaking Class, ran a new player meeting, checked on the skirmish and then ran a second meeting. When time in hits I’m trying to rush all my OC stuff off the field to be out of the way of the Hub.<br /> <br /> There’s a few things I have to be in set places for during the event and around them I walk and talk and answer radio calls. At 9 am Saturday and Sunday the field NPCs, Matt, Andy, Graeme and any plot writers who want to have a meeting. It’s like chairing a meeting of cats, who wander off, don’t listen, get distracted and turn up late. We are pretty good at keeping it to half an hour – ish! This is where field staff get to feedback what’s happening and if plot is hitting or missing and any queries or concerns. I make a list during this and that details most of what I do that day. <br /> <br /> I always make sure I’m at both gate openings to liaise with Emma and Tom and the egregores to make sure the gate opens at 11 on the dot! Then the team who aren’t on the battle go for breakfast together and scoop up any loitering players and take them too. If there’s anything big happening which I think might be a bit contentious for any reason I try to be in the background to offer back up to the NPCs and help any players who might need it. <br /> <br /> I try to do a couple of circuits of the field every day to see what’s happening and stop to talk to anyone I recognise from the New Player Meetings and my team. <br /> <br /> I swing through the Hub and try and help with any problems they’re having. Sometimes I remember to drop into the box and catch up with Matt, Andy and Graeme. <br /> <br /> At dusk I try to be sat on the box outside the Imperial Orc camp to watch the lights of Anvil come on, that’s’ straight up just for me, it’s the moment I get to look at our living breathing town and be smug about what we’ve achieved. <br /> <br /> At any point during this I might get a radio call to summon me across site, I get called for all the odd and weird stuff, flooded tents, plot queries that need a person to investigate backstage, dead or alive queries for egregores, can they really do this queries from egregores, helping people get involved in the game, helping people after character death, talking people through IC problems and helping them realise that they aren’t as bad as they first seemed. <br /> <br /> I also am on call to Emma to help with conduct queries. <br /> <br /> Basically I kind of do nothing and everything. Sometimes I remember to eat. Sometimes it’s really hard and I wonder why I volunteered to do it all. But when I see someone who was extra nervous at the first event come back again and love it or people show me how much they’ve done since they started coming, or show me what they’ve made or tell me their adventures or are too busy to talk to me because they’re throwing it all at the game it’s the best feeling.<br /> <br /> ==It Would Help If Players Stayed In One Place==<br /> * ''This is a short piece written by Kit Armstrong-Gardner, one of our NPC Crew, after the Autumn Equinox. In reality, there's several departments that come under the very broad heading of &quot;NPC Crew&quot; - but usually when we say talk about NPC crew specifically we mean people who play assorted roles over the course of a weekend in collusion with plot writers. They spend a lot of their time on the field at Anvil... looking for the right player-characters.''<br /> Hi I'm Kit, one of your friendly NPC crew. Different to skirmish in that we ''probably'' aren't trying to kill you. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Kit.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=Kit Armstrong-Gardner}}<br /> What I do at empire starts usually a couple weeks before hand, on the NPC crew Facebook, where our wonderful plot writers start putting up short snippets of plots or roles they need going out into the field at the next event, that might need the NPC to familiarise themselves with a complex brief or a section of the wiki. I usually check in the writer with whom I have a recurring NPC as to how much they're likely to need me on field before I sign up to any precast roles, and ensure I only sign up to roles at times that NPC isn't needed. <br /> <br /> A few days before the event I write out my schedule, check in with any writers that I haven't had briefs from etc to get everything straight. <br /> <br /> On the actual Friday of the event, there is an NPC briefing at 4pm where the main information we need to know for the weekend is given out (well, as I understand it. Being a teacher in my real life means I've yet to make it on site by 4pm...). Then it's final briefs and getting kitted up for any roles that need to role out ready for time in, consulting Beth Charlton's magical board of plot to see if anything needs filling if not in a precast role. <br /> <br /> The rest of the weekend is spent between the encounter tents, skirmish field and Anvil being a variety of people and things for players to poke, question, interact, annoy and make deals with. After each role I return to the monster tent to complain about players being impossible to find, be shouted at by Beth to eat something and most importantly write my debrief. This is electronic, and how we are able to let plot writers have a record of what we did, who we spoke to, and what ramifications we think it might have on their plot as currently written. <br /> <br /> Roles I have played range from reccuring Heralds, to thug number three, but all of them are designed to enrich you as players games and push plots forward. I am often out on plot from time in to 10/11 at night each night, and time out on Sunday. I can play upwards of 10 roles a weekend if it's a particularly plot heavy event. I circle Anvil more times than my body can realistically handle, and I love every second that is interacting with players! <br /> <br /> But it would be much easier if you all stayed put!<br /> <br /> ==Reffing Empire==<br /> * ''David James has been reffing Profound Decisions events for longer than anyone can remember. Indeed, he was there at the first ever rules meeting where the earliest attempt at the Empire rules set was made. Here he talks about what he does as an Empire [[referee]]. You can learn more about what it takes to become an Empire ref [[Current_crewing_opportunities#Referees_.286_spaces.29|here]] - from what I understand it is somewhat different to the role played in some other fest LRP systems.<br /> '''Introduction'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Afternoon everyone, as part of this ongoing series on behind the scenes looks I'm going to present at least part of the ref perspective. I've been reffing for PD on and off since about 2007 and hope to supply some insight into how reffing works at Empire and how that differs from previous games.<br /> <br /> '''Overview'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> One big difference between Maelstrom and Empire is the organisation of the ref teams - we never had more than about half a dozen at Maelstrom, often only 3 or 4 and we all tended to cover all roles. At Empire the overall team is much larger - around 10-12 depending on attendance. There are also more tightly defined roles - skirmish, field and desk, though people tend to jump to what's required when there's a shortage in one area. I’ll also mention at this point we’re often short handed and would love to pick up some more crew refs. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=DavidJames.png|align=right|width=300|caption=David James|title=I have no idea what is going on in this picture.}}<br /> I've mostly done field and desk jobs in my time on the team so this won't really cover battle and skirmish reffing but I'm reliably informed that there's one of these coming from one of the fine folks on that topic.<br /> <br /> '''Rules design and principle'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Before I get into the day to day task, I'd like to say a few words on rules designs and reffing principles. One thing that's very important in a game of this scale is that everyone gets the same treatment as far as rules go - from the newest player to the Empress or a Triumvir bringing an NPC onto the field. As such the rules aim to be clear and definitive with little room for interpretation and one of the tasks of a ref is to aim to keep this true by not allowing effects onto the field that require that kind of interpretation or break one of the basic rules principles. You may have heard of the of the principle of &quot;Rulings not Rules&quot; applied to tabletop roleplaying games, but here the opposite needs to be in effect to ensure fair treatment for all participants.<br /> <br /> This is also why you'll often see a ref call the desk for clarification - we don't want rules calls to be inconsistent, so we'll push the request up to either Emma (our formidable Head Ref) or one of the Triumvirs depending on the nature of the query. This means we don't have the same kind of free-form experimentation that we saw at Maelstrom, but this game isn't really about that and it means you can be confident that if you get a call, you'll get the same one next time - and so will your rivals.<br /> <br /> '''Between events'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Unlike a lot of the teams, the work of the Ref is almost completely limited to time-in. We don't handle rules queries directly - in accordance with the above principles they get handled by Graeme or Emma. We do have facebook group where we discuss the odd rules topic but mostly engagement is limited to a couple of days beforehand where we volunteer to ref for specific encounters.<br /> <br /> '''Arrival and briefing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Set up for the ref desks is fairly straightforward - everything gets packed down at the end of the event and the snakes nest of laptops, tablets and chargers are re-deployed in the vain hope that this time this time they'll all still be working at the end of the event. There's a ref briefing on the Friday afternoon covering any plots needing refs and any important rules or safety information but there's little else formal to do - time is spent helping with other set up, making up Traumatic Wound lammies and double checking there are no outstanding issues from last event. Doug helps with the New Player orientation and it's fairly common to walk the site to re-familiarise yourself with the layout, you'll often be getting direction to a tent somewhere in the dark woods so it pays to keep up to date.<br /> <br /> '''On the Field'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> After time in is when we really go on shift. We head out with tablets, radios and bags full of Traumatic Wounds and visions and await player requests. There can often be long periods where we just patrol without being needed then bursts where all hands are needed on deck, inevitable as a result of the reactive nature of what we try to do. The aim is to be visible without being obtrusive so we can be easily found when needed but easily ignored when not. This is kind of a synthesis of the Maelstrom and Odyssey approaches - at Maelstrom we were in bright hi-vis, clearly OOC intrusions into the game world whereas at Odyssey the Drowned Dead existed as IC entities. Both approaches had problems - the glaring OCness of one led to immersion breaking whereas the IC nature of the other led people who needed refs for IC nefariousness avoiding them in case it fed back IC.<br /> <br /> The field tends to be pretty quiet so if you need a ref and there's one wandering past they may be just racking up their Fitbit high score so feel free to approach them, they'll be able to summon another for you if they are on some other task.<br /> <br /> '''At the Regio'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> While we do get requests to ref rituals elsewhere on the field, the real magical action is at the Regio. I enjoy taking shifts there - there's a constant flow of players and cool roleplay going on (as well as a nice dry chair and the chance to spook people with the SFX). Chasing off after a curse laden player aiming to throw a Pronouncement of Doom is always a highlight, particularly when the ritualist has got several on them...<br /> <br /> '''Behind the Desk'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Partly a nerve centre, partly somewhere to put your feet up after getting that high score, the desk acts as second line support for GOD and a way for refs who are out of tablet battery or connectivity to get player actions processed while out in the field. During quiet periods it's also where we dream up new and unusual trama to add to the decks.<br /> <br /> '''Supporting Plot'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Whether in encounter tents or on the field many plots require a ref presence to communicate unusual effects or to ensure that rules are being followed in the high-intensity situations that sweep after the various denizens of the world of Empire that Plot send out. The job here is to be available but out of the way, which can be tricky in the smaller encounter tents! Ideally here you don't have to do anything other than be present and shuttle the players too and from from the Sentinel Gate for off-field encounters - and we typically manage that - but the disruption inherent in needing a ref when there isn't one means ensuring that these always have someone assigned. The opportunity to help facilitate the more elaborate experiences of the game make this a fulfilling way to spend a couple of hours every event.<br /> <br /> '''Debrief'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Inevitably there are issues arising every event, from IT failures meaning that we need to take player details for rituals or ceremonies down by hand to seeing the impact of rule changes in action and whether these are having the desired effect so we dump all this into a document that gets reviewed at event end and between to make sure we're on top of it all - this then sparks the discussions that lead us back to next events preparations.<br /> <br /> '''Hunt for &quot;Some Ref&quot;'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> I hope that's given you all some insight into what Refs do and why, and so I'd like to ask for some help finding a rogue. We from time to time hear that &quot;Some Ref&quot; told a player that they didn't have to fall down from being hit by STRIKEDOWN, or that they could just ignore roleplay effects they didn't like or similar japery. This nefarious devil clearly needs to be caught so we are offering a reward for information leading to their capture. (The reward is lammies) (The lammies are Traumatic Wounds)<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Graeme2.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Graeme W. Jamieson|title=Fails to mention the barely diluted orange drink he supplies.}}<br /> <br /> ==Graeme's Event Cycle==<br /> * '''''Graeme W. Jamieson''' is a senior member of the game team. Of the four of us, Graeme is usually the one who spends the most time on the field IC providing &quot;clarity&quot; to various people, usually in the Military Council and the Senate. He is also &quot;the Numbers and Strategy Guy&quot; in our particular event heist team, and has the strongest grasp of the actual Rules of the Game.<br /> '''PROLOGUE'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> My event starts several weeks before the actual event. This is when Matt will close downtime. At this point, we take the data of what everyone has done at the event, where the armies are fighting, what enchantments and curses are relevant, process them all through one big spreadsheet, and use cold hard logic to decide who wins each fight. This then gets passed to Andy, who turns my unfeeling numbers into wonderous prose for players to enjoy.<br /> <br /> Next major event is 1-2 weeks in advance. This is when we'll start looking at the Arcane Projections for the event. These vary from the ingenious to the... less ingenious (&quot;I'd like to turn Navarr into a Trifle!&quot;), and take between 5 minutes and an hour each depending on complexity. Average is about 15 minutes I think, and for the last event we had 90 (Though that's the final number, at this point we'll probably have about 60-70)<br /> <br /> On the Wednesday of the week before the event, I'll download my google docs with all the data we've been working on, stick it on my laptop, and get ready to leave the next morning.<br /> <br /> '''THURSDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> One sleep and a 7 hour car drive later, I'm now in a field, and it's mid-afternoon Thursday. At this point I'll start processing data frantically, with the following priorities:<br /> <br /> # Arcane Projections - Any APs that we've put aside to discuss or that have been submitted since the last check are now due. These need to to go GOD to be handed out, so this is crucial to cause them as few issues as possible. This includes any that we are failing, which need to have details on why we're failing them. This is then signed off for Matt to manually add compassion for failures.<br /> # Army Locations and Force Strength - Casualties and resupply and anything else we might have missed are checked, and the data is then move from the spreadsheet to the Database, so that Matt can spit out the army reports<br /> # Fort and Contested Territory progress - This is new, but needs updated at this point.<br /> # The Imperial Treasury - I now process the Imperial Accounts, applying any changes to Taxation, Costs, income, validating to motions which were passed to give out funds or abrogate Imperial Stuff. This spits out the bottom line of the Budget for the Senate, and a complete set of accounts for the Master of the Mint.<br /> # Eyes - I now go about finalising the Eyes data for scrying results upon the Empire. This covers: Shrouds that are in place; and the results of the Rituals Eye of the High Places; Eyes of the Sun and Moon; and Dreams in the Witch House. This is then saved off for Andy to add Flavour and to verify there's not any relevant plot effects we've missed.<br /> # Battle Options - I now sign off on and format the Battles options that Tom has written. These will have been being worked on for some time, but this is the final check.<br /> # Compile General's Reports - The 3 reports for generals are then compiled into a pack for each individual general. If I'm really lucky I'll remember the Scouting Report for the Scouting Army.<br /> <br /> '''FRIDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> At this point, it's now magically about 5pm on Friday, if I'm lucky, and 7pm if I'm not. I might have squeezed in a meeting with the Refs in there, but probably not, as I am the worst. No doubt a number of weird and wonderful crises will have also passed through The Cave as well, but they're now all dealt with.<br /> <br /> I'll now kit up, grab my paperwork, and go in character as Auditor of the Imperial Treasury Gerard La Salle. I'll spend until 8pm in the Hub, sticking my nose into stuff and providing &quot;clarity&quot; where needed.<br /> <br /> At 8pm, I'll head in to the Military Council. I'm hear to answer any questions around the options and the campaign that are mechanical in nature, and to provide senior game team support. They'll spend a good amount of time debating the options, and will choose who will go when, and where they will be going.<br /> <br /> As soon as they've made that choice, I'll leave that meeting and head to Senate. Senate Starts at 10 on Friday, and if I'm lucky I'll again make it there for the start. Again, I'm there to provide &quot;clarity&quot; where needed, and to provide senior game team support.<br /> <br /> Senate will end, I'll attempt to find the Master of the Mint and arrange with them what time they would like their meeting at. I'll now crawl back to The Cave, where we'll discuss what's happened throughout the day, and any issues arising from MC or Senate.<br /> <br /> At some point, I'll go to bed.<br /> <br /> '''SATURDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Saturday will dawn, and I'll get up, and feel a brief moment of joy that I'm not longer working through the night on Arcane Projections.<br /> <br /> At 9am, I'll head to Clare's Field NPC meeting, where we catch up with the Civil Servants, Egregores, Academy, and the Bards.<br /> <br /> At 10:30, I'll head over to the Monster Reception Station (where player monsters check in before the Battle - Raff), where Thomas, Mark, and I will agree the exact cutoff point for accepting players. Everyone after half past 10 is late, but we need to agree when is &quot;Late! Go Go Go!&quot; and when is &quot;I'm sorry, you're too late&quot;. Event 4 was the first time with me doing this personally, which is a change we made as we are at this point disappointing player who've wanted to Monster the battle, but turned up too late to be able to do so, and so we felt it should be someone from the senior game team to do so.<br /> <br /> Once that's done (Around 11ish), I'll have nothing planned until about half 12, so I'll either have breakfast, catch up on issues outstanding, or head to my meeting with the MoM if they wanted it in that time.<br /> <br /> At about half 12, I'll sit in a take reports from refs on the battles. This is from volunteer players making reports of serious incidents on the battles, either where they've had to talk to a player and dealt with it (which just gets noted, in case we can use it to spot a pattern of bad behaviour versus a one off occurrence), or more serious instances which need followed up on (often where they've spoken to the player and received abuse in response).<br /> <br /> I want to take a short interlude to talk about that. It's something that's worrying me quite a lot, and that's people hurling abuse at volunteers on battlefields. This isn't acceptable. I spend this hour on each of the Saturday and Sunday taking in reports so that we can try and combat this post event. It's not exactly the high point of my weekend.<br /> <br /> We'll also have the results of the battle, which I'll try and find a way to get to Sam in the military council.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 2, Amy and Jon will turn up for Senate Scrutiny. This is actually the second scrutiny meeting of the weekend, but the first one happens during the Friday MC meeting, so I miss that one. This is where the Constitutional Court goes over the senate motions to check if there's something we need to advise on, or something that's obviously awry. It's a fun meeting, but does need us to balance IC and OC quite heavily at times.<br /> <br /> Once that meeting's done, I'll head IC, and hang about in the Hub, providing &quot;clarity&quot;, until the 4pm Senate Session. Where I will again provide &quot;clarity&quot;.<br /> <br /> After Senate, I head back to The Cave, catch up with M&amp;A on what I've missed, and help where I can.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 7pm, it's time for the third scrutiny meeting! Once that meeting's done, I'll head IC, and hang about in the Hub, providing &quot;clarity&quot;, until the 9pm Senate Session. Where I will again provide &quot;clarity&quot;.<br /> <br /> After Senate, I'll head back to the Cave and discuss the dealings of the day, between the various houses of state and similar, and we'll discuss anything urgent arising.<br /> <br /> Matt will start to fret about the weather.<br /> <br /> We'll wind down, and I'll fall asleep some time between 12 and 1.<br /> <br /> '''SUNDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> At 9am, I'll again head to Clare's Field NPC meeting and catch up with everyone. At 10:30, it's back over to the Monster Reception Station.<br /> <br /> Once that's done (Around 11ish), I'll have breakfast. In this hour I also need to make sure the Order sheets for generals are printed so they can write their army orders on them.<br /> <br /> At about half 12, I'll again take reports from refs on the battles. We'll also have the results of the battle, which again need to get to Sam on the field so she can brief the generals IC.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 12, Amy and Jon will turn up for the Sunday Senate Scrutiny meeting. The astute will notice that I'm potentially in 2-3 meeting simultaneously here, and you're not wrong. They sometimes manage to slot together well, but I prioritise the Refs over Scrutiny where they don't (As M&amp;A can do Scrutiny without me).<br /> <br /> As soon as that's all done, I'll run out to the 1pm Military Council with the order sheets. I'll stay there until I have all the army orders (providing &quot;clarity&quot; as required) and then rush to Senate, where I'll be until time out.<br /> <br /> After time out, I'll stagger back to the cave with the Generals' orders, and write them all up. Then I'll either get in my car and drive home, or crash out for an hour or two before dinner, and drive back the next day.<br /> <br /> '''EPILOGUE'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> A week after the event, we'll have a call and I'll provide Matt with the General's orders, and shortly after that he'll open downtime.<br /> <br /> And then we return to the start.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Emma.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=Emma Rowden|title=Hasn't broken the internet in, gosh, hours.}}<br /> ==What I do when not egregoring==<br /> * '''''Emma Rowden''' has been involved with Empire for quite a while, as a player, an egregore, another egregore, a facebook moderator, and a battle ref among other things. They've written a few words about what they do between and during events.''<br /> So, in addition to my role as Egregore (Which [[#We Do Indeed Have a Job|Peter Green]] has already covered very comprehensively!), over the last few years I’ve also picked up a bunch of other odd jobs around Empire both at events and online<br /> <br /> By far and away my biggest (In terms of volume and time) job for Empire LRP is as moderator on the official facebook groups. Currently I’m one of your friendly neighbourhood moderators for the main Empire LRP group (2.5k members), the page (5,295 likes), Dawn (1.2k members) and Navarr (1.5k members). Whilst we’re a reasonable sized team there’s still a lot of work to do and there’s no real “off” time as people are posting 24/7. We do our best to arrange cover if any of us are off on holiday or are away. When the Winds of Fortune are going up, I can get upwards of 200 notifications a day!<br /> <br /> On an average day I review people who’ve asked to join the groups to try to weed out any bots. I also try to have a cursory glance at most posts that go up, quickly parsing them as whether they contain any hot topics that are likely to cause people to have strong reactions. If it’s likely to and the post itself doesn’t contravene any moderation rules, I’ll “Follow” it and lurk in the comments section in case I’m needed. If something contentious from PD is about to be posted, we might get a quick heads up from the Boss to be vigilant. People often also PM me if they’re concerned about anything they see.<br /> <br /> If we have to moderate anything we try to PM the people involved or put a post on the related thread explaining the action we’ve taken. All of this is recorded and documented in case we need to refer to it later. We often discuss best practice or how things could be done better next time. Clare as Player Support Head and Emma as Head of Conduct also keep an eye out in case they need to get involved.<br /> <br /> At events, in addition to Egregore things I also help Nick run the Weapons demos. Along with Johnny, I’m one of Nick’s combat test dummies. We cover what Empire LRP fights should look like, the rules, the calls and a whole bunch of safety issues that can arise when fighting. Everything from “What is (And isn’t) a stab safe weapon” to “getting consent before touching people when healing”. No question is too daft! This usually takes about 45 mins and sees me bouncing off trees and hamming up dying multiple times. It’s a lot of fun and is a useful refresher even for older hands!<br /> <br /> I also help out on the New Player Skirmish which David runs, with a bunch of other folks like Maz and Tim. We split the new players into 2 groups and run a couple of basic combat scenarios such as a fighting retreat, or rescuing a target. Everyone gets an opportunity to try on an orc mask and to have a go with using their character’s skills. It might only be 20 a side but it’s a good introduction to what Empire combat can be like. Sometimes we even get the smoke machines out too!<br /> <br /> Whilst the rest of Highguard are monstering, I can be found in a yellow and black tabard Battle Reffing. Battle refs are there to help with any Rules or Safety issues that might occur during a battle.<br /> <br /> After the 9am player support briefing I head over to where the rest of the refs are meeting. We have a ref briefing which covers the battle plan and any potential issues that might occur. Then we head into the battle area and spread out around the likely combat zone. Often I’ll pick a group of monsters or an EMU and stick with them. There are also plot refs on respawn points and battle refs on any notable features such as regios. We have radios and can hear the count down to the gate opening and the players arriving. Our radio channel has other refs on it and first aid. We can call for Emma Woods if necessary who can liaise with the plot team who are on another channel.<br /> <br /> During the course of a battle I will speak to players to check their understandings of rules and take their PIDs or names, calling on other refs if necessary for support. I will hand out traumatic wound cards to people who I see doing particularly excellent roleplay. I will help players avoid any safety hazards such as barbed wire fences and help de-escalate and control other potential danger zones such as crushes (I get hit a surprising amount whilst doing this!). If a man-down is called in my vicinity I’ll first check on the injured person and do a basic assessment as to whether they’re walking wounded, just need a minute, or we need the first aid team. If the first aid team is needed I’ll radio them, giving a location and a rough idea of the injury. Once I’m not needed there, me and the other refs will try and get the battle started again as safely and quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Once the battle is over all the refs will meet up for a debrief. We’ll share any PIDs we took which will then be logged on the PD database, any general rules issues we had (e.g. people executing poorly or unsafely) and any things that went well or that we feel we could have done better. Then I’ll get back into egregore kit and head into Highguard.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Peter.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Peter Green|title=Stopping any Freeborn tripping over their tagelmust and impaling themselves on spikes is a full-time job.}}<br /> <br /> ==We Do Indeed Have a Job==<br /> * '''''Peter Green''' writes about being an [[egregores|egregore]] and about his his experiences as one of the newer members of the Player Support team.''<br /> I was ridiculously honoured to be asked to write something about what exactly it is that Egregores do. Contrary to popular belief, we do indeed have a job. You see, I’m rather new to the Player Support Team having done a whole two events as the Brass Coast Egregore. I have been asked back and not banned forever, so I can’t have done too badly. This puts me in a pretty cool position of being able to comment about the learning curve and duties of an Egregore with fresh eyes.<br /> <br /> I firmly believe that Egregoring is one of the most fun and rewarding jobs I’ve done at a LRP, let alone at Empire. It seems to take a little from several other sections of the game- a little reffing, a little playing, a LOT of meddling. And a truly inordinate amount of combining other words with the word ‘egregore’.<br /> <br /> We are field crew - this means we spend the game time almost entirely on the field, in character. Our entire job is to help players to have fun, find the game they want, and enable whatever dreadful schemes they have. It’s a pretty tough mental switch to make if you’ve come straight from being a player. Your success condition becomes other people’s successes and stories, and that is what you focus on. It can be easy to feel like you haven’t achieved anything, or been particularly memorable. But if a player can point to you, and say you helped them, well, that’s a win.<br /> <br /> Before I do a bit of a ‘day in the life’ about what I spent my last game doing, I’m just gonna clear up some common misconceptions:<br /> <br /> * We do play characters. They can have IC opinions and views and personal connections, and do in fact ROLEPLAY. They’re not just lampshades for a OC help point and can absolutely be interacted with on a personal level.<br /> * This doesn’t mean it translates to OC bias. If you feel like you can’t go to your egregore for OC help, they’re doing something wrong.<br /> * Yes, we can die. Ask Wintermark and The Coast.<br /> * No, we don’t start with more character points than anybody else.<br /> * Our ‘special powers’ essentially come down to seeing if a character is alive or dead and opening the gate. Seriously pals, we are not loaded with magical macguffins.<br /> <br /> With that out the way…<br /> <br /> The first thing the job seems to include is walking. No, more than that. Before time in we have new player meets, briefings and other bits and bobs to pick up. As soon as time in hits, I tend to hit the ground running. Meet new players IC, find out what their goals are. Check up on old groups and see if they need any help or just have a chat. Usually there’s a LOT of introducing people to each other. Helping forge connections is really, crucially important. You have to have a pretty good head on who does what in your nation, so you can point people in the right direction.<br /> <br /> Helps if you know the rest of the field too. There’s a lot of showing people to the correct place if they don’t know where something is in Anvil. Unhelpfully, sometimes it’s a LOT of guesswork, but you know. Don’t tell anybody I said that. Gotta look all knowing.<br /> <br /> There’s a few other formalised duties. Opening the gate is probably the biggest and consistently the most nervewracking. You stand in front of half the nations, grandstanding. It seems to be a honest fifty fifty split on how they can go, with it depending as much on the weather and the general mood as anything else. There is literally nothing worse than performing and looking out at a sea of backs or indifferent faces. Engaging the crowd is always our aim, to get them riled up and ready to fight. If we get a cheer, that’s our aim achieved.<br /> <br /> Other bits and pieces that are slightly less intimidating are things like presiding over people coming and going in your nation, being sad at funerals, checking on the status of characters and doing adminy bits like arranging the senatorial elections/auctions/festivals. The main thing to constantly keep in mind is that you are there to facilitate, not to lead. That’s up to the players. Wrangle logistics, spitball ideas, spread messages, but DON’T tell people what to do.<br /> <br /> At the beginning of each morning, we have a super secret meeting to gossip about player actions and to let the plot team know if hooks have been picked up or dropped, if there’s a lack of interest in something or even if we have an idea about what might want to be poked at in the future. By reporting back to the plot team, we give them an idea about how their work is actually hitting the field in real time.<br /> <br /> We’re also a point of contact (via radio) to get hold of refs/GOD/redcaps/accessibility crew, report OC safety issues, check on skirmish and battle times and other various appointments. Importantly, we probably shouldn’t mediate rules disputes and most of us don’t have tablets. We are so not trusted with that power. Trust me, it’s for the best. That’s why we have our amazing refs.<br /> <br /> Character skills can also play a big role in how you support player action. I mostly took priest skills - so I can stick roleplaying effects on anything that moves and use it as an IC encouragement to incite action if a player is showing reticence. Other egregores may take combat skills so they can battle alongside their nation or magic so they can assist in rituals. We are pretty much all broke though. Except the League Egregores, predictably.<br /> <br /> The biggest part of our job, arguably, is re-enforcing the national brief. We make sure that there is an IC presence nudging people to stay within the confines of the brief without it coming across as OC chiding or preaching. In my case, it’s a lot of glaring at people if I suspect they’re telling lies or loudly proclaiming my hatred of the colour black. It’s about embodying the nation and leading by example. There’s a clear line between interpreting the brief in an unusual fashion and simply ignoring it. Guess which one we don’t like.<br /> <br /> So, that’s pretty much it, though I’m sure I’ve left out something crucial. We’re fundamentally here to help (to sound cliche) and the drama, meddling, advice and tears is just a free, exciting bonus.<br /> <br /> ==Six Step Process==<br /> * ''Post Autumn Equinox 2018, a discussion of how '''David Sheridan''' handles the prep and running of plots at Empire''.<br /> [[#Running Plot at Empire|Dave]] and [[#What I do on my holidays|Ian]] have set a good tone here. I'm going to talk about the process of writing plot between events, because that's where the REAL magic happens.<br /> <br /> (The set design team are going to thrash me with DMX cables for that, but it's worth it).<br /> <br /> '''Step 1''' is to debrief the event that just happened. After we've all had a week to calm down, tidy up and get back to civilisation, I Skype Management and we talk about what went down. Stuff like &quot;the Marchers loved that CSI tent encounter we gave them,&quot; or &quot;the Urizeni didn't really engage with the NPC going to challenge them to an egg-and-spoon race,&quot; or &quot;the skirmish where they talked the Druj onto their side against the Thule was a bit of a turn-up.&quot;<br /> <br /> We work out what's coming next as a result of player action, and trust me, this shit gets WILD. I am paraphrasing when I say that easily two debriefs an event go something like: &quot;The NPC didn't meet the people she was meant to meet, but did bump into their rivals/made a public announcement/sold the item to someone else, and long story short, I think that's just derailed one of the Conclave Orders/drawn an Eternal's attention/altered the course of a war-front/got [x] blamed for [y].&quot;<br /> <br /> We also bat around ideas for next steps for ongoing stuff. If you've met the same NPC three events running and built a working relationship with them, then chances are you're going to get something next event which builds on that storyline. Maybe they're in trouble and ask you to help; maybe they have an opportunity for you; maybe they want you to commit to them over a rival you're also friends with.<br /> <br /> And we have the sad duty of packing off those plots nobody wants to play with. They get sent to a nice farm upstate, where there's lots of space to run around.<br /> <br /> At the end of that meeting, I actually take pins and stick them into an actual four-foot-wide map of the Empire hanging on my dining-room wall. Yes, I'm that sad. Worse: the pins are colour-coded to show how developed the plot is. These ones start out blue for &quot;Approved in Principle&quot;, and by the event they'd damn well better be green.<br /> <br /> '''Step 2''' is &quot;have ideas&quot;. As any writer can tell you, this is the easy part.<br /> <br /> Seriously, though, I read all the Senate Motions, Synod Judgements, Conclave Declarations, Winged Messengers, Plenipotentiaries, and the updates to ongoing WoFs that people make in the week after the event. And I jot down anything that strikes me as curious. Why DID the Senate agree to fund a trip to the Moon? Why did someone put a motion saying &quot;Rabbits are Good&quot; before Conclave, and why did they vote it down? Why did someone put forward a Statement of Principle saying that &quot;Rabbits are Bad&quot; before [x] National Assembly, and even though it got voted down, why was it so close?<br /> <br /> (And why is everyone so obsessed with rabbits, anyway? Who's running all the Rabbit Plot? And if nobody else is, can I? I like Rabbit.)<br /> <br /> I also try to come up with some stuff out of whole cloth, taking ideas from sinecure and ministry descriptions, fluff-text off the wiki, and by less creative methods like saying, &quot;Nobody's put Dawn and the Freeborn in conflict recently; what do they each value that we can make them fight over?&quot;<br /> <br /> As these ideas are coming, collaboration is key. We have a number of backstage Facebook groups where I might post &quot;Is anyone running anything with the Faraden/the Hercynia Vallorn/the Shattered Tower?&quot; or &quot;Hey makey-people, how would you make an NPC crew-member into a gryphon?&quot; People reply with ideas and budgets, and I adjust my ideas and expectations accordingly. Usually upwards: I'm constantly being surprised by the talent and open-handedness of our makey-people.<br /> <br /> In addition to ongoing plots, I try to come up with ten suggestions for either entirely new plotlines or engaging the levers that PCs have pulled. I've found this leads to about 14-15 things to run in an event, which, along with other duties I have at events, is about the right amount for my blood pressure.<br /> <br /> These get white drawing-pins, for &quot;Not Approved Yet&quot;.<br /> <br /> A digression: my plots often aren't the big things you'll have heard of from the WoF. I'm known as a &quot;bijou&quot; plot-writer: my stuff is usually meant to only directly influence a small number of people, but in such a way as that influence can ripple out into the world. I love reifying the fantastic elements of the setting, making them more relatable by portraying human reactions to the inhuman: ghosts and curses, immortal sorceror-dragons and cruel Sovereigns, Eternals and Sydanjaa.<br /> <br /> The upside to this is that these plots can be great game. If they touch the right character, they can change the course of a nation, or become the next accepted truth about a historical matter. The downside is that they aren't DESIGNED to do this, and in a game that's centred around various kinds of macro-scale politics, this can mean their signal gets lost in noise.<br /> <br /> Honestly, I don't mind that. Because half the time, what this means is that in two years' time, someone is able to say, with passionate conviction, &quot;No. I went there, I dealt with the consequences of [x] myself, and I won't let it happen again!&quot; - it's always, always more effective if it's coming from the mouth of someone who went out through the Sentinel Gate to do [x] rather than who simply took an option to roleplay about having done it in downtime. And what REALLY makes my game is when that's someone you'd never have expected to get involved: someone with no title, no former political prominence, no rich friends, who's become a crusader off the back of that short, intense experience. There's a reason we all go to a field rather than playing by email, and this is it.<br /> <br /> '''Step 3''' is to call up Management again and put these ideas to them. This is Plot Approval, and it's a collaborative process, where the results of that collaboration can be anything from a simple &quot;Yeah, great idea, talk to [x],&quot; through &quot;Let's talk about the fine details for two hours.&quot; Other options include: &quot;That's such a good idea that another writer did it two years ago,&quot; or &quot;That goes against a recent Synod Judgement that just got a GM,&quot; or even, &quot;No, that's dumb.&quot;<br /> <br /> It takes 2-3 hours to go through maybe half of those plots, so it takes a couple of those meetings over a couple of nights.<br /> <br /> After this point, anything given the go-ahead gets changed to blue, and the race is on.<br /> <br /> '''Step 4''' is to frantically write everything. The Plot Wiki is very forgiving: accessible from anywhere, and if you leave it logged in overnight, editing a page, it won't have forgotten your unfinished edits the next morning.<br /> <br /> This involves a LOT of wiki-reading. I design characters to reference the game's Archetypes, because NPCs should reinforce setting in their very bearing. I try to make sure my NPCs never fail to have the answer to an important question, and that they don't have to improvise things like names or dates.<br /> <br /> Checking who to target the plot hooks at often involves a database search: &quot;Navarri Vates with Night Magic&quot;, or &quot;Characters in Astolat with Military Units&quot;, that sort of thing. If a plot involves a crop-blight in Highguard, you can bet that Highborn Farm-Owners are getting an OOC pack-briefing to clue them in before angry farmer NPCs turn up at Anvil.<br /> <br /> After the research, I usually take a couple of hours per plot getting everything down on paper, and then the fun bit begins.<br /> <br /> (Each pin goes to yellow once the bulk of it is done).<br /> <br /> '''Step 5''' is all the admin needed to make the plot run. This is where I need to work with the silent-silent partner, the PeeDee PLOT MATRON. I will tell her what costume, make-up, SFX and set design, NPCs and ribbons I need; I will use her to book Conjunctions and set their size, duration, locations and Accessibility options; I will give her the NPCs' briefs to remember for me. I create new ribbons, curses and divination results, and briefs for egregores and magistrates where relevant. I shuffle things around so I'm not briefing three things at dinner-time. And finally, I talk to human beings again.<br /> <br /> I put out juicy NPC briefs for pre-event casting in a dedicated NPC-crew FB group. I talk to Beth Charlton about who's attending and their skillsets, experience and enthusiasm, asking for recommendations. I talk to Plot Production to get stuff made. I talk to Tom Hancocks about running things with the Skirmish teams and, sometimes, about borrowing members of Skirmish Crew for field plot. I VERY rarely talk to ACTUAL PLAYERS (usually former crew-members, giving them the chance to take a new plot onto the field with a retired NPC, but also sometimes when I know someone on the field has a rare skill or talent that's impossible to improvise).<br /> <br /> I also usually put some hours into making something for the event. I love making paper props and similarly-designed things - maps, illuminated manuscripts, artworks, cryptic encoded heresies, letters hinting at details of history or politics, journals, architectural plans, all sorts. Here, as at every stage, collaboration is useful.<br /> <br /> I prepare, and prepare, and prepare. It takes far longer than I hope it will. But it's worth it to be prepared on the day.<br /> <br /> (And the pins turn green!)<br /> <br /> '''Step 6'''. On the day.<br /> <br /> I'm prepared. I'm timetabled, I've got stuff pre-assigned to encounters and the heart-meltingly wonderful Blue Caps to put my ribbons, coin and resources in little named envelopes for me. I've got NPCs who know when they need to find me, or whether their timing is flexible. I've got my meal tickets. And PLOT MATRON can take very much of the weight all by herself.<br /> <br /> By now, most of my work is done. All the thought, obsessively reading the wiki for details and checking names and dates, all the writing, most of the briefing: that shit's already happened. I need to stay on the ball for the weekend, but... most of my work is done. All I've got to do now, basically, is to explain my brilliant ideas to people and froth with them when they come back from the Anvil field.<br /> <br /> By the time I hit the field, 95% of my job is done. And I love it that way.<br /> <br /> ==What I do on my holidays==<br /> * ''Following Autumn Equinox 2018, '''Ian Horne''' talks about his role at events with particular emphasis on tent encounters<br /> So my work starts about a week after the previous event. I dig myself out of the froth caves in which I was impersonating some kind of Russian troll, call up the editors (with a summoning circle) and provide elevator pitches for my next event’s stories along with at-this-stage vague ideas for the shape of the three encounter tents. They demolish my ideas and together we put the pieces back together stronger. My notes from this are full of CAPITAL LETTERS and CRYPTIC DRIVEL: over the next week I shovel these into google docs outlining what my plots will be.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, two things happen: first, the ''SWIVEL EYED SYNOD JUDGEMENTS'', which I produce as a resource to roll my own face in, and second the Past Life Visions (PLVs) are assigned.<br /> <br /> I don’t write them: I underwrite them. It is not permissible for us to miss one, and I’ve volunteered to backstop that - it is my responsibility to make sure that SOMEONE writes, designs, casts and otherwise actuates your Vision. The worry that those ''someone''s will all be me in a succession of increasingly bad hats is a great motivating factor to get people writing.<br /> <br /> Anyway, once I know what the visions are and if any Eternals are using tents, and in discussion with the tent leads and SFX designers, we set up what the encounter tents will look like. We ask for plot from the other writers too, because threeish visions and sixish Eternals do not fill three tents for an event. Typically I will also write mini adventures to go in some gaps if I spot them early enough, because I am disgustingly proud of our sets and want as many players to see them as possible.<br /> <br /> You must understand I have the visual art sensibilities of a housebrick - I do not design what you see! But plot writers semi-regularly come to us with a lovingly detailed masterwork of drama, and excitedly I ask them where it happens, and they say ‘Um. A fairly spartan tent, near Anvil. It needs a chair in it. And a table, if you can stretch to that?’<br /> <br /> And if I pass that straight to the tent leads, our encounter will be set in a featureless pitch black tent with a chair containing the bludgeoned and insensible form of a plot writer slumped on a lovingly detailed table. So, armed with someone else’s artistic faculty, I engage with the writer to try and locate a part of the world the encounter could reasonably be in. Ideally, of course, it is suspiciously like the one that is already scheduled for 11.30am that day, halfway between that and (say) the 3pm one - and we iterate on that until the mental image of the set is beautiful, and once that’s locked in I pass it to the excellent people who make sure we will have all the objects onsite with which to do the things.<br /> <br /> It’s particularly bad with Visions. The conceit of uptime is that everything happens at Anvil - so visions of being a mover and shaker often get set at Anvil in their first draft. And frankly, that’s a waste. The tents are one way we bring the world to life… the players are already working hard bringing Anvil to life, and can throw more effort and resources at it than ever we can. Meanwhile we spend a lot of time and effort not being a tent and not being near Anvil. If all else fails, thanes have halls and stridings have taprooms and I have before resorted to a Highborn Travelodge…<br /> <br /> Anyway, about three (ahahahahaha) weeks before the event I know what the tents will be and possibly even what’s happening in them. A week after that I start making increasingly insistent noises at people I’ve frothed with who don’t have plot for me yet. As the Winds of War and Fortune issue from Raff’s blazing keyboard I am metaphorically backstage creating an order for ducks to be arranged in. At some point the editors make time in their overstuffed schedules to do a quality control pass on my plot. I write up briefs, send them to NPCs, rummage through eBay’s sock drawer and the local garden centres for props. And then we go to site, and my work is largely done and now I can have fun.<br /> <br /> Because it is fun. We’re volunteers, we’re on holiday too - I try to ensure that whatever else, my stuff is at least as much fun for players as crew. Most of my briefs will include the line ‘come back if you stop having fun’ or ‘milk it as long as it continues to be funny’ or words to that effect. Our NPCs are great at improvisation and tend to enjoy it, especially when we remember to let them know exactly how far to take it. One of the main areas where I think that experience helps with plot writing is in intuiting the difference between a brief that will give your NPCs a no good very bad time (“this encounter takes place in the aftermath of a battle, full of corpses”) and one that really sings (“wait, does that read corpses? I meant ‘Terminal’. You recall the Terminal rules? I want a wall of noise. Oh, and *you*, *you* and *you* are Imperial and the rest are barbarians.”).<br /> <br /> The sets in our encounter tents are amazing, and I can say that because I am at best a stevedore for them. The tent leads and SFX crew are actual wizards. I say ‘it would be nice if there was some rubbish in this one’, and the next time I walk past I hear a discussion on what the mediaeval equivalent of a discarded rotting sofa is and can we fake one. I say ‘volcano forge’, and the next time I look the corner of the tent has what I can only call a geode with what looks decidedly like a river of quicksilver. We decided that one tent would be the inside of an organ and … you had to be there. Pictures don’t do it justice.<br /> <br /> What am I doing while the team are doing this? Ideally, if it is all going perfectly, not much. I check in with the NPCs that they are on their way, with the plot writer that nothing is on fire (except for that which is supposed to be on fire) and with the tent leads and SFX people that we will have a set - then pitch in wherever someone needs something. And if the metaphorical wheels look like they are coming off, or going wobbly, I go find the duct tape as early as possible. I have been two people in some Visions - I’m getting quite good at quick changes, and I love chewing scenery.<br /> <br /> Other than that? I play the odd NPC - he’s really quite odd - and brief the odd plot - and wasn’t it just - and then when the tent plot is all spring-loaded, the ducks are in obedient rows and the evening’s last sets are shipshape, I get onto the field as one of those characters you get in CRPGs who regurgitate basic setting info if you click on them. Because I love Anvil by night and I like to experience it if I can. (If you see an unfeasibly tall man in a stupid red hat, it’s me, and I love regurgitating basic setting info in an IC voice.)<br /> <br /> Last event was uphill. Two of our three tent leads were out with OOC issues. But thanks to excellent work by excellent people we won through, and we had fun doing it. The mission statement could be, in a word, aspiration - year on year, we will outdo ourselves. That is our aim: that is our target. I look forward to giving it my best shot.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Kibblewhite.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=David Kibblewhite|title=The man we call Cool Jim}}<br /> ==Running Plot at Empire==<br /> * ''Writing after the Autumn Equinox event 2018, '''Dave Kibblewhite''' talks about what his event entails as a plot writer and egregore.<br /> Got there on the Thursday, needing to replace shock cord in a tent pole before I could put it up. Nearly gave up and then realised that my tent does in fact contain two poles that are identical once assembled but made up of slightly different components. Very confusing. Once I had pitched the tent in order to make sure the award-winning Clare Evans had somewhere to comfortably sleep, my primary role at PD was out of the way and I could get on with other stuff.<br /> <br /> We had some food from Obanzai and it was so amazing that I resolved to eat all my non-breakfast meals there for the weekend, which I did with no regrets. We did our new player social, which a few people showed up to. When it got chilly I went and put thermals on under my clothes. This made a big difference and I basically did that for the rest of the weekend. Definitely a top self-care tip. We hung out with the orcs a bit, I failed to locate Alexis Celnik and eventually gave up on the tavern because I wasn't really feeling it and went to bed.<br /> <br /> On Friday I spent the morning checking in with makeup, costume, set dressing etc in an attempt to minimise the amount of surprises I'd drop on them later, then got my camping furniture over to the Varushka camp ready for the IC tent once it was up. We had the first new player meeting at 2 and I dished out some briefs to egregores. Sadly I had to dash off before the end as it started raining and I was conscious my stuff was in a pile in the Varushka camp. Consequently I missed chatting to new Varushka players at that point.<br /> <br /> At that point the tent was up, so I stood staring at a pile of fabric while my brain switched off and played cartoons in my head for a while before getting Emmanuel Goldstein and Simon Manby to give me a hand set dressing it . Then I located a bag full of random pieces of wood and arranged someone to drill holes in them because that's what my life is like.<br /> <br /> By that time I was into my window for getting my costume on and weapons checked before getting over to the hall of worlds for the intro to magic session I do with Martyn Sullivan and Emmanuel Goldstein. Attendance was not great so we obviously need better PR, but if the players who did show up go into time-in confident to jump into the magic game rather than standing on the sidelines then I still say it's worth it.<br /> <br /> Then I got over to Varushka almost for time in, greeted the new people at the hearth, did a bit of chatting, then went to support the IC weapons training. By the time that was done it was basically time for me to get back and brief Taz Magpye's storyteller who had stepped in to replace an absent and crew member and hadn't therefore had time to absorb what was quite a complex brief. Left the IC stuff to the infinitely capable Si Childs.<br /> <br /> It was then approaching time for my first tent quest of the weekend, so I checked in on the set build, made sure it was looking as I wanted, and I knew how to make my sounds play with Ian Horne Cattes and Jess (can't tag). Made sure my NPC was briefed, happy and looking good. Got players and chucked them in. Good atmospheric encounter with some imperial orcs where they tried to do some riddles and stuff while I freaked them out by occasionally blaring a DRAMATIC sounding Autumn Bailey through the PA. They took the item they were meant to take, appeared very engaged with the story and I sent them away smiling, so that was great.<br /> <br /> Came back to find the storyteller npc a bit panicky and needing clarification on some bits of the brief, which I think we resolved and got her happy and back out. Chilled out backstage for a bit, then went out IC for a while, where I didn't do much except be a wallflower at the empress/wise one pre-marital questioning. Went to bed at time out.<br /> <br /> Saturday was my big plot day. First I got the ribbons for Taz Magpye's random bits of wood plot attached and distributed, mostly at the morning, pre time-in player support meeting. This plot was super successful at getting people engaged and required very little effort to run out from plot (although a bunch from field refs though I guess).<br /> <br /> I had set the morning aside to battle, but I didn't trust my ankle if I had to run so instead I painted myself silver and went to play an Autumn realm jeweler for Wrenna Robson. Enjoyed doing some trades for very specific denominations of coinage. Did horribly disappoint one player through my first-come first-served policy, but being beaten to the deal is the nature of the Autumn realm I guess. Never quite got the silver paint all off all weekend.<br /> <br /> At that point I checked in with the NPCs for my three Anvil based encounters (these people had already been sent their briefs before the event) to answer any questions. I collected and attached ribbons to the weapon physreps I'd brought as one of them was a peddler for the Varushkan market. Also found an orb physrep and a way to ribbon that (hot glue gun). Threw all this in a bag I got from the prop boxes along with something another plot writer added to the encounter and made sure the NPC knew where it was since I wouldn't be there when she went out. Lastly, made sure the 70 beautiful potion physreps Beck Hemsley made for my potion trader were available for that npc. These were new potion types that Matt and Andy were yet to sort lammies for although I'd been assured they would be ready in time. I poked my head into their office, noted a post-it in front of Andy's desk reading &quot;Dave drugs&quot; and declined to bother them further.<br /> <br /> Checked in on the &quot;inside of giant monster&quot; set (thank you Mark Nichols, Heather M Clayton etc, then went to the orc camp where I had been asked to support what was already a very cool scene starring Steph Morris and Mike Kilburn. Matt Couldridge came with me to set off some smoke while the players threw a lot of expensive hallucinogens around, then I played the 3.5 minutes or so of audio I'd mixed. I think a lot of people were actually pretty blown away by Matt Notcutt's ominous intro, Emma Rowden's supervillain monologue and the minute or so of visceral stabbing sounds. Then I chased an orc around with a speaker shouting at him in Autumn Bailey's voice some more and told them when their quest was.<br /> <br /> Then I pegged it back to the encounter tents to make sure the set was ready to go, grabbed a surgical kit with actual sharp things, and got the players for my &quot;autopsy from the inside&quot; quest. Players proceeded to destroy the set and props, I told them some hopefully interesting stuff and sent them on their way. They got extremely sticky and the encounter involved a lot of &quot;EEEWWWW THIS IS VILE!&quot;. Conjunction caused some confusion because I'd moved it to accommodate the aforementioned player-organised scene and not informed the refs in case they needed to rely on paper timetables, so that was my bad.<br /> <br /> Went out with the skirmish crew then to do the imperial orc ancestor pilgrimage (whole nation encounter in the woods). Skirmish knocked it out of the park in the end, but I learned some important stuff about how to split up a complex brief for a large group. In addition I think the orcs might be able to take a bit more railroading and stage management than a lot of our players, and it was clear to everyone involved that the whole thing would have been better in the dark. That said, it all went pretty well.<br /> <br /> Sat down for food then set to work getting the Varushkan &quot;make evil bargain with creature whilst inside other creature&quot; quest ready. Taz Magpye showed up to help and the whole thing went very smoothly. Got the players and brought them down. Sadly a player had some health issues just before getting to the encounter so we sat down for a while while I looked after them and cheered them up then walked them back to their friends. Got back to the end of the encounter to find they'd used some headology and bypassed a lot of dilemmas by simply hacking off the hostage's arm at the shoulder and dragging them back through the sentinel gate spraying arterial blood around, so I think we're proud of our players for that one.<br /> <br /> Then spent a while getting ready for the past life vision I'd written. Never done one of these before so it was a lot of pressure, plus I'd opted to do it outside, have multiple scenes, and NPC it from the skirmish team plus the rogue element Matthew Pennington, none of which is normal for these encounters. I feel I may not have done the PLV team's heart rate any good, but everyone involved came together to make what I think was a really powerful scene that I hope the player will remember for a long time.<br /> <br /> That done, I rushed off to the Wintermark camp with my NPCs and pyro person to do Kallavesi vision time, which on this occasion was two NPCs miming in a tent full of very thick smoke with me as an IC narrator. It was lovely to hear Harry Morris in her element encouraging the players to take it seriously, and I've realised I can now recognise the sound of forty potion lammies being ripped simultaneously (it sounds like player engagement).<br /> <br /> Got back to monster, got some paperwork associated with the PLV sorted, then went to chill out IC and heard some lovely singing. Thought about going straight to bed but instead stayed up with the cool kids in monster. This was an incredibly good decision because not only did I have a good laugh, but I met someone who is going to provide tremendous technical help with Fairyland next year.<br /> <br /> On Sunday I actually just played my egregore character, including accompanying Si Childs while we tried to by him a goat (thank you for playing, Felix's Watch). Then spotted an important plot point which had been missed, and resolved it by quickly getting a ribbon sorted and dressing the closest person, Erin Catherine Marsh, as a zombie. After time out the rest of the day/night was remarkable only because I actually spent time with Clare, and that a number of us spent quite some time being relentlessly cruel to David Henderson, who is utterly deserving of the treatment he got.<br /> <br /> A busy event, but super rewarding. Really feel like I have learned a lot this year. Which is good, because Clare and I are running our first event next year and in many ways it is a bit ambitious.</div>

Spoondog https://www.profounddecisions.co.uk/mediawiki-public/index.php?title=What_we_do&diff=116140 2024-11-18T10:57:55Z

<p>Spoondog: /* Three-thousand, six-hundred Freddos */</p> <hr /> <div>[[Category:Crew]][[Category:Game Design]]<br /> ==Overview==<br /> These are short articles written by crew members about what they do during, or between, events. Originally written for Facebook, they maintain the same sort of informal tone found in the more game-design oriented essays you can find [[Writing about Empire|here]].<br /> ==That Was The Year That Was==<br /> * ''Matthew Pennington runs Profound Decisions; it's his name over the door. He probably has the most diverse job portfolio of anyone, doing everything from answering everyone's e-mails, to ordering toilets, to approving plot, to writing his ''own'' plot, to making sure there are first-aiders, to... you get the idea. As part of the &quot;What We Do&quot; initiative he's written this quick piece looking back over 2018 - and looking forward to the future.''<br /> Andy asked me to try and write a piece on what I do at events, but for once I couldn't think of anything I wanted to say. I'm not usually stuck for words, but it's mostly meetings and that didn't seem that interesting to write about. But I did want to talk about the year we've just had - how extraordinary it's been for us - and what that means for the year ahead - so Andy said I could write about that instead.<br /> <br /> The single word I'd use to describe the last twelve months is &quot;unprecedented&quot;. To be fair the changes all began half-way through 2016 - when hundreds of new players first started coming to Empire - but the impact of that weren't really felt until this year. At the end of 2017 there was always the chance that everything was just a flash in the pan... It was soon clear in the run-up to the first event that that wasn't the case and so we started responding in earnest to the changes.<br /> <br /> The first of those challenges was logistics! There are 5-600 more players per event this year than there were last year. That's a lot of people and the first thing they need is a lot of space. Of course you don't just have to plan for the players you have - you have to try and ensure there's enough room no matter what happens - the last thing we'd ever do is turn people away on the gate because we're full. I've done that once before at an LRP event I was involved with decades ago and I swore I'd never do it again.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Matthew Pennington.jpg|caption=Matthew Pennington.|title=Unprecedented...|width=250|align=right}}<br /> As the bookings started pouring in for the first event, it became pretty obvious that we couldn't carry on just using one field. It's always preferable to have Anvil in one field if we can - but the game is just too big now to accomodate that on our current site. We'd already outlined some plans with the farmer, but once it became clear that it was definitely going to happen, there was some pretty hasty work needed to get the gates put in between the two fields.<br /> <br /> Of course it's not just space - you have to get everyone in and out of the site. That meant laying even more new woodchip roads - this time through the woods - and that meant creating new bridges and yet more gates - to get over the streams and ditches. That's when we hit our first hitch - it was one of the wettest winter's on record. It basically started raining in October and didn't really stop all winter. Once the ground became utterly waterlogged that made any ground work incredibly difficult. And the longer we waited for it to dry out so we could get to work... the more it just kept on raining.<br /> <br /> In the end we just had to get on with it and suck up all the extra work involved with operating in such poor conditions. And given that the winter rain continued right up to - and through - the first event - it's a pretty good job that we did. The new roads only just held up at the first event and the ground itself was in a pretty terrible state. 6 months of rain will do that! Things were a little better in the old field - the new storm drain we'd put in carried the rain away - almost as quickly as it came down. But getting everyone off the site from anywhere was a real struggle.<br /> <br /> Fortunately it finally stopped raining shortly after the first event... and at that point it decided not to rain again that summer... That brought new challenges of its own, but in did mean that at the Spring Event we were finally able to see the new roads working the way we'd hoped. The previous three events had seen long queues to get off site - queues that were getting longer and longer with each event as numbers kept growing. But the new roads did everything we'd hoped and more and the queues pretty much disappeared - much to our delight.<br /> <br /> The other big thing you need with so many people is toilets. These problems were compounded by the fact that the toilets that we'd bought years earlier were at the end of their life and some of them have not survived the move to the new site. We'd been making do by renting additional toilet blocks - but now we needed to make a decision of whether to buy more second-hand units or switch to renting. Whatever happened we were going to need a lot more toilets - but it was a question of whether we spend the money up front buying - or spend it over time by renting.<br /> <br /> In the end we chose the latter option - and I'm really pleased we did. We simply could not have afforded to buy enough toilet units to support the event properly. We'd have managed... but there wouldn't have been enough. Renting large numbers of units meant we could get better quality toilets - and more of them. It's expensive of course - the rental is £30,000 a year - but it meant that we could put a toilet in the crew area for the first time ever.... One day we'll have the money to invest in our own toilets - but not until we've got on our site to build them on. Until then we'll stick with renting - and that means we'll always be able to stay on top of the numbers - as more people come to the event, we can just rent more units.<br /> <br /> There were lots of other challenges that I could talk about. We had to upgrade every electrical cable we owned so that we could get power into the new field. That wasn't straightforward by any means. And rearranging the entire site meant a lot of work for everyone - not least the camp planners. They are a hard working bunch and they cope incredibly well with all the demands put on them by us and the players. In gratitude we switched them all to complimentary tickets this year onwards - it's only fair given how much they put in to organize the camps for everyone's benefit.<br /> <br /> Logistically the year culminated with the extraordinary third event. After non-stop rain all winter, we were now faced with running an event in record temperatures after 6 weeks with no rain. The site was dry as a bone and the fire risks were sky high - so that meant putting a whole raft of new fire restrictions in for the event. I'm delighted to say that we put our trust in the players - told them what we needed them to do - and everyone was incredibly mature and responsible and we had no problems. But it was an interesting challenge for us as I spent days reviewing all our fire planning, looking at evacuations plans and the like. Such work is never really wasted... although in this case I rather hope it's never actually needed.<br /> <br /> Predictably the hot spell broke... over the July weekend we were running our event. The PD weather curse marches on! It didn't stop people coming to the event though... nothing seemed to stop that. The third event it almost always our biggest - since it's during the summer holidays and it's when most people can attend and bring their whole family. This year we shattered all our records though - with well over 1900 adult players on site and just under 2500 people on site by the time you count the young players, the crew, and everyone else. I honestly never imagined that many people would want to play Empire - it's an incredible feeling knowing that you've been part of making a game for so many people.<br /> <br /> Having achieved that milestone, we were able to relex a little and turn our efforts to the battles for the final event. Our battle team were keen to try and create something new and the changes in the woods over winter gave us an opportunity to really go for it. Creating the fort in the woods was a lot of effort - but I'm really pleased they pulled it off It wasn't just the perfect way to end the year; having that there really sets us up nicely for next year. This year it was an epic location for a battle - for 2019 it will be just another tool in our arsenal to try and create better events - at least for as long as we're at the current site.<br /> <br /> How long we'll stay at Dadford Road remains a mystery. We'd been looking at a few places for a year now, with a view to trying to find a new site to rent, somewhere a bit cheaper and closer to the centre of the country. But the extraordinary year we've had forced us to rethink our plans once again. Renting land will always be a hiding to nothing for us - we'll never really be able to create the kind of extraordinary site we'd like to have for the events without a massive programme of investing and the planning permissions to go with it. And that only really makes sense and is only really possible if we own the land. Like almost every LRPer we've dreamed about what we'd do if we owned a LRP site - but by the end of 2018 it was very clear we were in a position to be able to afford to do it - we just have to find the right site to buy.<br /> <br /> So as of last week I was out on the road again - looking at potential permanent sites to buy. That's a long road and one we've been down a few times before and never got to the destination. But I'm feeling really upbeat now. It's going to take a fair few years - just finding a suitable site might take years. But we're better positioned now than we've ever been. We can finally get serious about trying to create a permanent dedicated live roleplaying site to support what we do and hopefully the entire hobby.<br /> <br /> That hasn't been the only big change though. Gaining so many new players brings a lot of challenges in terms of supporting them. As a result, the existing game team, myself, Graeme, and Andy - asked Clare Evans if she'd step up and join the team. Clare has run the egregore team and the new player team since the game began - and she's been amazing. So as part of the change we asked her to also take responsibility for all the field NPCs - so the civil service team now also comes under her wing. That means having a consistent philosophy about the way our field NPCs support players in the game - and it means that every field NPC has a direct link to a member of the game team.<br /> <br /> At the start of the year I asked Andy to join Profound Decisions as a full-time member of staff as campaign director. Obviously Empire runs on an army of volunteers - the events happen because of their hard work and ambition. But as the game kept growing we needed more people who were available to support the game 24/7 and that's not something we can realistically ask of a volunteer. Having Andy onboard as the full time member of staff responsible for the setting and the plot meant we were able to do more to improve that side of the game as well as freeing up my time to do things like look for a few new site.<br /> <br /> And that brings me neatly to my final piece of news - I'm genuinely delighted to let people know that Graeme Jamieson is going to be joining Profound Decisions full time. He'll continue as a member of the game team and head of rules for Empire but take on the role of finance director for Profound Decisions. As anyone who knows me well knows - I'm ok at running a LRP event - but I'm bloody awful at running a business. Graeme is going to bring some much needed discipline to PD - we'll have proper budgets and plans and all sorts of things real companies do (allegedly). That means we'll have a much better run business and I'll have more time to concentrate on land sharks and dragons and forts - so it's a win-win for everyone. Know your own limitations and do the thing you're good at is my motto!<br /> <br /> It'll be a big change for our crew - going from a situation where I basically just say yes to everything - to one where they agree actual budgets for the year with Graeme. But in the long term it should help everyone to have a lot more certainty and be able to plan properly for the year. <br /> <br /> And it's a huge step for us - it basically means Profound Decisions has doubled in size this year - at least in terms of the number of people we're employing on a full-time basis. But it's an absolutely crucial step to take if we're to buy our own site and make a success of developing it.<br /> <br /> And it really sets us up going into 2019 - we have the strongest team we've ever had at Profound Decisions - both our volunteer crew and our full time team staff. So we're all set to keep trying to improve every event to make it better than our last. And the incredible influx of new players has brought a fantastic energy to the game, with so much enthusiasm and passion.<br /> <br /> I hope I see you there!<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Beth Dooner.png|caption=Beth Dooner.|title=Not shown: the Shattered Tower, who are probably just out of shot.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> ==Exhausting But Rewarding==<br /> * ''Beth Dooner is one of the prolific crew photographers responsible for capturing many of the images of players doing things that stop our wiki pages being unreadable walls of text (among other things).''<br /> I go to events. Take photos. Go home. And that’s it right? Well, sort of. There’s a lot more to it than that.<br /> <br /> Before events, I try and get feelers out for any cool encounters that may be happening, or big set pieces that the game may want me to capture (think The Wicker Man or the Kallavsei Funeral). I’ll take a look at what national festivals may be happening and try and record general times for them. Then it’s looking at predicted sunset times to figure out how much time I have to shoot on Friday night; looking at the weather forecast to see if I need to bring any protection for my kit; and look at the field layout so I can see where everyone is. <br /> <br /> Did I mention I also play a character? So this is alongside all of the Winds of Fortune absorbing and goals planning for her. <br /> <br /> I can plan styles of photos as much I like before an events - and I do tend to have some idea of what I’d like to achieve - but there are always factors that change that slightly. Perhaps the weather is cloudy all weekend when I wanted to experiment with more lens flares. Maybe all those epic battlefield shots I wanted that show how big shield walls can be are put to rest because all battles will take place in the woods. <br /> <br /> Being able to work with what you are given with very little control over it outside of your own camera and where you are standing is part of being a photographer at Empire. Spontaneity and being able to think on your feet is key. And don’t get me wrong, it’s frustrating as heck to see the perfect shot lined up and just as you go to get it, the key figure turns away or someone walks in front of you. Due to our rule of not interfering with role play whilst doing photography, I can’t exactly ask someone to do it again. It’s a moment lost, so you often have to decide whether you stay where you are and hope the same opportunity comes up again or move on.<br /> <br /> At events, I do a mixture of playing my character and photographing. I am purely out of character during battles (shown by my red and black coat) but tend to remain IC for much of my Anvil shots. I thankfully play a character who is quite active and has a lot of reasons to wander around the field and see people. I try and do a purely out of character lap of the field once or twice a day though. <br /> <br /> There’ll always be stuff you miss, but it’s amazing the scope of stuff you get and it’s always significant to someone. Whether it's a big moment heroic moment on the battlefield, or a hushed conversation between two characters, or someone looking wistfully off into the distance… each of these moments have story, and that’s what I love about photographing Empire. <br /> <br /> After an event, I’m usually too exhausted to work on photos straight away. Carrying a camera bag and camera does have somewhat of a physical toll on me, so I usually take a night or two to rest up. Once all my images are on my computer, I get to work on going through them. First to go are all the blurred or over exposed ones. They do take up a lot of space. Next to go are the ‘doubles’ from when I have gone click click click with a camera to make sure I don’t catch someone blinking or that slightly unflattering frozen moment during mid speech. We all have them. Then it’s a final look through to take out some weaker shots, but I try to be as kind as I can with these; what may be a ‘weak shot’ to me could possibly make someone’s day and be the centre piece on their grandma’s mantlepiece. <br /> <br /> Then it’s time for that good old post-production. I could be kind to myself and treat every photo the same and just put the same filter on them all after I’ve done some general fixing. However, I like to try and get the best out of every photo, so I retouch each photo individually. I enjoy it a lot, even if it does take more time than simply popping a filter on. I love tapping into my knowledge of colour theory, and looking at film production stills and illustrations to figure out how to make each image shine on its own whilst still being part of a cohesive album. A narrative within the image and the album.<br /> <br /> It does take a lot of mental energy though, which is why likes and comments when the album is uploaded is crucial for my wellbeing. I am especially happy if someone from the Game Team or who helped create the world comments on or likes a photo. I do this for the players of Profound Decisions on the whole, so being able to make both of them happy is a job well done for me.<br /> <br /> It is exhausting, but ultimately rewarding. And keeps me being creative!<br /> <br /> ==All the Little Orc Chrysalises==<br /> * ''Leah Tardivel heas up our plot production team who make sure we have props, costumes, masks, and the occasional monolith for our assorted plots.''<br /> I’m part of an exceptional team. I’ve found this really hard to write because while I have done all these things and would consider all of these things, at least in part, my responsibility it isn’t just me that does them, and for some events it isn’t me at all. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Leah.png|caption=Leah Tardivel.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Empire owns various props that can’t be stored in the field, and some of those live in Coventry. A lot of these are taken because they need care or cleaning such as the orc masks and the NPC costume. Others come back to Coventry because they are too delicate or vulnerable for the field, such as the AV kit and some of the larger monster costumes. As a result our early Empire jobs involve getting things cleaned, prepped and repacked from last event, and working which bits of kit we’re likely to need in the field for the next one. <br /> <br /> We also work with plot writers to ensure we have everything we need by way of set dressing and props for them to do their thing at the next event. We have sorting days and packing weekends (and we’re always grateful for anyone that can spare any time to help). <br /> <br /> I’ve always felt the event proper starts with the vans. They turn up on the Wednesday or Thursday and everything goes to site. <br /> <br /> I regularly say that I haven’t got a clue what I do on site, but that’s not technically true. I talk a lot. I listen a lot, and then I fill in for whichever of the rest of my team needs me to help in order to ensure we get stuff done. My team are plot production. We consist of makeup, costume, props, encounter tents, SFX, and the props workshop, working out of the monster tent. It gives me very varied events, and often very varied days. I can move from dressing NPCs; to building random props out of cable ties, gaffa tape, and hope; to trying to work out how to get the lights on the regio to work within the course of an hour. I’ve not recently been called on to do makeup. They’re pretty independent. <br /> <br /> I’m currently spending time with Beth working out how to build communication between Plot Production, the NPC team, and the plot writers. This has improved massively over the last year, but I still want the system to be a lot more useful to everyone. I like the idea we can do the impossible more often. <br /> <br /> I really like getting to site on a Thursday afternoon and walking into an empty monster tent full of long grass and then building it up to a functioning busy hub, and slowly dismantling it all again so that it can be just empty space again by Sunday evening. As with the rest of Empire it feels so substantial to be something that exists for less than three days at a time.<br /> <br /> For the most part I tend to be busy with set up on Friday, spend Saturday filling in and discussing how to build bigger and better things and then I spend Sunday getting everything packed down, and offsite or stored. We aim to have the monster tent empty by about half two so we can drop our stall at time out and then load the van(s) to get the kit back to Coventry so that we can dry, wash and store it all, and begin planning for next time. <br /> ==I Don't Do Tents==<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Woody.png|caption=Woody Grimsby.|title=Power tools and archery for the win.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> * ''Woody Grimsby doesn't really do tents, but he does hack things out of wood. He also runs away from things in his spare time.''<br /> I don’t do tents. Actually, that’s sort of a lie, though, as I do help on tents as needed - such as the big ones for Monster and GOD - but I don’t tend to do tents the rest of the set up. <br /> <br /> So, what ''do'' I do? Well pretty much anything needing power tools and construction, except ramps. Andy (##McCullough - Raff'') does ramps. Plus each event is different depending on what PD want to achieve and where in the year we are. Typically, if it’s been made using wood and screws I have been involved somewhere along the line. <br /> <br /> I am generally onsite on a Tuesday and start work Wednesday morning. For the first event of each year the first jobs are the floor and the roof on the tavern so the Thursday night crowd have somewhere dry to stand without holes they could fall in. After that it’s the same with the Senate building, then other odd jobs such as the table for the Military Council or the portal in the Hall of Worlds. Occasionally I am needed to put holes in things or fix things for the plot people but that’s rarer now they have people who can do that. Outside of event one I tend to have a bit more time so this year it was building a certain fort. Previous years it’s been arenas and stands for tourneys, or seating for coronations. <br /> <br /> Once the event starts I am often on call as a red cap carrying out repairs for instance if someone manages to find a way to fall through the floor of the Senate or Tavern. In events with very bad weather I spend a lot of time going around re-pegging tents and just doing what needs to be done. Again, the level of commitment depends on the events some events need very little work during them. <br /> <br /> Once the event is over there is often very little for my specific skill set so I pitch in with whichever team needs to assistance, either traffic or taking down tents. On muddy events i'm often busy pushing cars and vans toward roads. <br /> <br /> Then its relax at the crew party and hear about all the things that people have done over the weekend. <br /> <br /> Monday its finish up tents occasionally do some litter picking. Seriously if you want to find the most soul destroying job in the world its litter picking the field once everyone has gone. <br /> <br /> So yeah that’s what a red cap who doesn’t do tents does. What I will say is when I started this crewing malarkey at event one of Odyssey I had no clue, its working with the great people of PD crew that I have been taught how to do what I now do and am trusted with power tools. I even know a little bit about plumbing too, which is nice.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Nick Turner.jpg|caption=Nick Turner.|title=He also finds time to cook.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> <br /> ==Position of Trust==<br /> * ''Nick Turner is a player who volunteers to help out in various capacities through the weekend, such as player-reffing and helping deliver some of our new player briefs.''<br /> I’ve been playing Empire since the start but in that time I’ve helped out on the other side of the fence as well in various guises. This came about from spending a chunk of my formative years on the other side of the world and I wanted to give back to my hobby, without having to stop playing. Most of the time I’m a regular player - paying for my ticket as usual - but I'm happy to help out where I can.<br /> <br /> My event starts briefly a couple weeks beforehand when I check with the Ref team about any particular items they want me to mention in the combat brief I deliver on Friday afternoon. These are normally things that have flagged up from previous event that need to be covered/reinforced. <br /> <br /> I arrive on Thursday and get set up in the play area as any character camping IC does. On Friday afternoon I run the combat brief (twice) for new players. These briefing sessions are aimed at new players (of which we had hundreds this year), but are also open to anyone else who fancies a refresh of the battle rules. They last about 45 minutes all told. During the briefs myself, Johnny Fisher, and Emma Rowden go through the general rules, safety, special calls, archery, magic, and most importantly the “cinema” of LARP combat. I’m a great believer that role-playing doesn’t stop the moment we go through the gate, and I stress that wherever possible. The team field questions on combat and battle, an then the new players crack onto the practice skirmish which is led by the fantastic Tim Baker and Maz Wilberforce. As I said above my sessions are open to everyone so please feel free to drop by even if you aren't a new player.<br /> <br /> Come time-in I’m ready to play my character - but my support duties don’t end completely. <br /> <br /> I also hold a radio as a “player-ref”. At certain times the core ref team benefit from another body, and that's where I come in. Essentially, I’m an extra ref in the field to help where needed. I carry a tabard in my bag and put it on when required (''On-duty referees are [[Referee#Identifying_a_Ref|identified]] by their black-and-gold livery - when Nick's not wearing this he's just another player - Raff''). My role is primarily dealing with general questions, performing [[create bond|bondings]], processing rituals, and reffing Anvil combat such as the Dawnish tourney or the Imperial Orc fighting pit. I also do whatever miscellaneous stuff the ref team require. <br /> <br /> Come the battles I join the battle ref team where I tend to act as a roaming ref covering mass combat. As an IC archer I’m often asked to keep an eye of archery safety on the field (''Nick made [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcKZxfaO4ks this helpful video] for example which is helpful watching for anyone doing LRP archery - Raff'')<br /> <br /> As a player referee, I am limited in that I cannot hold an [[Imperial title]], or get highly involved with certain parts of the game (''Even though he's a player, Nick abides by the same rules about what he can and can't do IC as the rest of the event crew - Raff''), but it has suited my game (and enjoyment) to help out like this for several years – I’m never bored or slowing down during time in. This role takes me all over the field and it always amazes me the detail in every corner. I also never forget how much of a position of trust I am in. <br /> <br /> Like most refs I stop at time-out on Sunday, hand my radio/tablet in and pack up my IC kit ready for next time.<br /> <br /> ==Occasional Monster==<br /> * ''Mark is one of the people responsible for wrangling the [[Current_crewing_opportunities#Skirmish_Team_.2810_spaces.29|Skirmish team]], but he also writes some plot, and plays monster and NPC roles throughout the event. Here he's writing a little about what he does, and a little about what Skirmish team as a whole do.''<br /> Sometimes I’m a monster<br /> <br /> During downtime I write plot, but for events I tend to wear several hats. At the event I'm mostly the quartermaster for the Skirmish crew, and when I get a chance I'm a monster on quests, battles, and skirmishes.<br /> <br /> My event prep normally starts about four weeks before the events where I normally am writing up my plots and hatching my ‘evil’ plans. I tend to try and have them in a finished state at least two weeks before the event kicks off so I can get final sign off from Matt and Andy. The next week is spent double checking I've made any props I need, and checking I have back up of plot briefs in case of IT issues on site. (''Which never, ever, ever happen - Raff'')<br /> <br /> Then comes the joy of the event. On Thursday morning I'll start heading up to site from the sunny south. On arrival I'll do some light set-up in monster, and join others in Skirmish crew to set up any special surprises planed for the battles (e.g. the fort from last event).<br /> <br /> Friday is when the real work begins, though, As soon as we have about eight crew together we begin unpacking the Skirmish crew container. We have a mix of light, medium and heavy armour, typically around thirty sets of each. Once all the other boxes are unpacked, there is always one hated box remaining - the box of chain (well mostly ring mail). Again there is about thirty sets in there, so skirmish crew put the &quot;chain&quot; in &quot;chain-gang&quot; as we lug it all into monster. We will spend the next few hours getting it all set up and easy to access so when we really need that ‘awesome druj blood soaked apron’ we can find it quickly. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Mark Pickering.png|caption=Mark Pickering.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> By this time its normally around 16:00, when the skirmish crew will go out for some fight training run by Gary aka ‘evil’. After this we get our time honoured briefing from the Skirmish boss (Andy Connell), and then the crew are split into two teams - team Plot and team War.<br /> <br /> Team War - the larger of the two teams - monsters quests in support of the military campaign. The skirmishes they take part in range from an elite unit of [[Jotun]] [[Elite_Jotun_troops#Skjaldir|Skjaldir]] to injured [[Highguard|Highborn]] troops just trying to get home. At the same time team Plot, generally the smaller team, will be monstering skirmishes in support of plot lines. These could be anything form a lost [[Legendary_beasts#Mandowla|mandowla]] to drugged-up bandits. Either way fun is guaranteed. Typically one team will be in the woods and the other in the field, and fight three or four twenty-minute quests with a ten minute breather between each, then go back to monster for a longer rest and re-kit.<br /> <br /> On Friday we start around half six which, after the briefing, means we just have time to grab food then we start prepping for the first encounter of the event. Our next proper break comes around 22:00.This is when we hear what battles the heroes of the Empire have chosen, and get our battle plans form Andy C. Then I and a few others will begin to prepare for tomorrow's batte, doing jobs such as sorting out base layers and the like. Then I run round all the toilet blocks putting up the &quot;what you need to bring&quot; signs for Tom (''Thomas Hancocks - Raff''). I'll then get back to monster for the Elite Military Unit briefing at midnight, after which ill do a bit of tidying, and find out how my plots went, just in time for bed at 01:00. (''Elite Military Units are the player volunteer bands of monsters with specific roles who'll take part in the next day' battles - Raff'')<br /> <br /> Saturday rolls on. I'll normally be up by 07:30 sorting out my kit ready for the battle. Then I grab a quick breakfast, before finishing kitting up, and getting the battle prep boards out the front of monster. A few skirmish crew will stay behind to help players kit up, but the rest will head on out to the field. When all the crew are ready and we get the okay from Tom to start letting the players thought (around 09:30), we will start briefing and counting the volunteer monsters. I'll spend the next hour counting/briefing and helping out with any issues that come up. We will close monster at around 10:30 (Graeme Jamieson gives us the shout when to stop), at which point I'll ether run out to join the monsters or help with battle logistics depending on the need. Either way I normally arrive on the field just as the players are about to enter so it’s all a bit of a rush. But a glorious battle awaits! <br /> <br /> After the battle we will help sort out the battle prep tent, then go to Andy’s debrief on what worked well and what didn’t. After a quick lunch I'll tidy monster up and prep kit for the afternoon quests. We will pick up again with the patterns of three-four quests followed by a break and do this until around 18:00 which we break for lunch. By this point we are usually beginning to lag a little, and lunch is a welcome break. After this we are back to fighting again until about 22:00 when we again start to get ready for the next day’s battle with a briefing. Saturday night is much the same as Friday night, and gain I finally roll in bed around 01:00 ready for war the next day.<br /> <br /> Sunday morning's battle unfolds like Saturday's, but afterward we split into two. Half of the team search the battlefield for lost property (which is sent to GOD), and do some litter picking. The rest help me pack down monster. At current rate we seem to finish take down just in time for Time Out, and the end of the event. <br /> <br /> Over the weekend, between the two teams we will have fought two battles and around thirty quests.Skirmish crew is exhausting, but it's always a joy to fight alongside such mad keeners. My personal pet favourites are playing Druj and unliving husks, but hey who wouldn’t want to be the baddies, who know they have skulls on their hats? I have been spray painted black, duct taped into monster costumes, died in a sinking muddy puddle, but not once have I ever considered stopping - after all the Hundred live to die!<br /> <br /> ==Three-thousand, six-hundred Freddos==<br /> * ''Lou Ardent is the head of the crew welfare team who make sure that PD crew are fed and watered throughout the weekend.''<br /> Lou Ardent is the head of the crew welfare team who make sure that PD crew are fed and watered throughout the weekend.<br /> <br /> Hi, my name’s Lou, I'm non-binary, queer and utterly amazing (at least that’s what people tell me whilst I'm doing my job and I tend to believe them). My very first encounter with any of the crew was during Odyssey, One of the crew members came over to the camp looking for help building parts of the fighting arena. I got chatting to some people whilst there and found out that you could get your event ticket, meals and even a drink for free. Being a poor student at the time, this seemed like a great way to attend the event and give back to the community. I came for the food, I stuck around for the camaraderie, community and fulfilling emotions of it all. I actually started out as a redcap but went looking for other things to do and found myself in the crew hut cleaning up. From there it didn't take The previous HoD, Maria, long to snap me up and make me an official member of the Crew Welfare team. Since then my events have seen me take on more responsibilities. <br /> <br /> I’m now head of the crew welfare department so my event usually starts before I even reach the field. I contact the other heads of department and collate an order to be delivered to site. I also arrange for Morrisons to deliver to the site throughout the week. On the Monday before the event i set off and arrive on site, I put up my tent, set up my bed and sometimes I'll assess the state of the crew welfare hut and make a plan of action for the following day. This occasionally involves finding mysterious objects that have appeared in the hut because there was nowhere else to put them. If the previous event was a muddy one, I empty out the hut, wipe down the higher surfaces, scrape the mud off the floor using a handy garden hoe and then mop. I go through and arrange whatever supplies were left after the last event and set out the hut in a manner which makes everything easy to find. <br /> <br /> Wednesdays see me up at 8:30 am to grab breakfast, finish any organising and cleaning in preparation for the Morrison's and wholesalers deliveries. This tends to be several crates of perishables and 2 to 3 pallets stacked high with all sorts of goodies for the various departments. The rest of my day is spent sorting through these, putting some of it in the hut and delivering the rest to the bar and toilet teams. I also prepare a cooked meal for those on crew who eat keto. I try to be done by 6pm because then I find one of the Penningtons and go buy 30-40 pizzas, plus a few kebabs for the crew. <br /> <br /> The rest of the week is much the same, I tidy, clean, restock and problem solve. I take orders from all the teams for any supplies they need and go get them. I remind, and sometimes force, people to eat, although most of the crew seem to have gotten quite good at this now. I also make sure people have hydrated, put on sunscreen and are not overdoing things. From Wednesday onwards I set out a buffet in the crew tent for people to make sandwiches and deliver supplies to those who can't always get to the hut. If it’s a hot event we sometimes get the paddling pool out. <br /> <br /> Sundays I do my regular duties but I also start to prepare for the crew party. This time it’s a Keto friendly meal, keto friendly dessert, Kebabs, Indian and around 80 Pizzas plus Cake! It’s a lot of work and was definitely a learning experience the first time, but I've got a system worked out now. <br /> <br /> Monday morning after the party I do a cooked breakfast of sausage, bacon and vegan sausage barms (fried eggs on request). Then it’s clearing out the leftover pizza and cake from the food hall and putting out lunch. <br /> <br /> 3600 Freddos later, before I leave on the Tuesday, I do much the reverse of my arrival and pack everything into containers, clean down and take anything that won't survive to the next event to a food bank. <br /> <br /> Of course, I wouldn’t be able to do this on my own and have a wonderful team who help me not only do my job, but who make sure I'm following my own advice of eating and hydrating. <br /> <br /> We do what we do so that everyone else has the energy and executive function to do their jobs. This also includes providing a warm and welcoming environment.<br /> <br /> ==Gin, Sweat, and Tents==<br /> * ''You may have seen Tom Butterworth dashing hither and yon at events, sometimes with a clipboard, always with a red cap and a friendly can-do attitude. He heads up the [[Site_crew#Site_set-up_and_take-down|set-up and take-down]] crew who are responsible ultimately for taking Anvil out of its box before an event and then putting it back in its box after everyone has gone home.''<br /> <br /> I manage one of the key site teams and do a bunch of trouble shooting on the field during set up. I often get the impression that people think I somehow work miracles at Empire. If only!<br /> <br /> My team is most accurately described as the Tent team; if it’s canvas and it’s PD’s, we’re responsible for it. This means we’re visibly out on the IC field and tend to handle lots of other things as well, from deploying benches and emptying bins to helping players with problems. We have anything to do with the running of the electrics team or toilets, or provide running water to the site - separate teams that handle those areas. While we’re all part of site (under our glorious leader, Ali Pennington) our team is the one people usually mean when they refer to the ‘Red Hats’. <br /> <br /> I have a measure of responsibility for the Traffic Team (also part of site) who organizes everyone’s OC camping and parking, but in reality that is entirely handled by the ever-adept Wayne Newton and his capable team, I’m rarely more than a backstop for any tricky decisions he has to make. <br /> <br /> I contribute to my team’s efforts in two significant ways: I arrive with a plan of action and I co-ordinate efforts on the field. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Tommy-B.jpg|caption=Tom Butterworth|title=You can tell this picture is old because of the pristine look of the red hat.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Everything I do is about minimizing effort to maximize productivity. Many PD players and crew have great memories of Red Hats stepping into the breach, hurling themselves at physically strenuous tasks in terrible weather, with few resources other than their muscles, improvisational skill and determination. <br /> <br /> The times when we have to do those things are often great examples of a dedicated team of volunteers pulling together to overcome adversity. They are also an indication that something has gone wrong which could perhaps have been thought about days or weeks before and thus been prevented. So I try and plan to do things the easiest, most efficient way and save our proverbial spoons for the storm winds, the emergency repairs, the mad panic as we look for a tent to replace something that won’t do the job and so on. <br /> <br /> I also often end up linking activities between other teams. You can’t put power in a tent or set dress a tent or send players to a tent until that tent is up, so by necessity I’m either informing or being informed by other teams as to their locations and activities. I’m not in charge of what they do, but I do end up as a de facto coordinator. <br /> <br /> Having a lot of information pass through me to others is probably why my team and I often gets called in to deal with problems that don’t quite fall into any other category. Most of the time that’s fine, though Thursday set up is usually pretty mental…when you’re half way through a complex radio conversation and several people are stood in front of you trying to ask you questions at the same time the brain does sometimes melt! <br /> <br /> (I rarely succeed at reminding myself that I’m only one person at times like this, though usually friends remind me of such later on, when I’m unpacking the day out loud over beer/gin).<br /> <br /> Other things I do during setup include providing backup for Camp Planners if they hit problems, liaising with traders and caterers for their set up (again, usually only if there’s problems), ensuring the structure and roofs on the tavern and bar are safe and secure (my team will usually handle that work if there are issues). Other things come up and in my role of joining the dots together they sometimes come to me…it’s varied, to say the least.<br /> <br /> There are also a couple of key things I keep an eye on during the run up to an event. <br /> <br /> 3-4 weeks before each event I’ll generally start prodding people in my team to see who is available. Knowing how many people we will have is an inexact science but I ask on the FB group and chivvy people into responding via PM or email. If we have new crew I go through a slightly more lengthily process of explaining what’s involved, making sure they know who to talk to and where to go when they first turn up, that kind of thing. <br /> <br /> On the run up to the event I put together a job list for the team, which includes the tents we have to put up and other odds and sods (benches, repair jobs, finding wee Andy’s toys if he’s lost them). I operate on the principle that I should provide as much information as possible to everyone I can. I’m not sure how helpful that is, but we seem to get through it most events! <br /> <br /> Another thing I do is dividing the Red Hats into tent teams, usually teams of 4 one of which is an experienced Team Leader with a radio (the Team Leaders, by the way, are the core of the team, constantly problem-solving and improvising while leading and swinging a sledge hammer). Sometimes this feels a little futile - people clump together and work with each other as they turn up and are available, so sometimes a proscribed team won’t ever materialize, but when it does work it works well and everyone arrives knowing they have a Team Leader to report to, even if things often change due to circumstances. <br /> <br /> There’s a map that the camp planners put their camp plans on, which I nominally supervise. They do a ton of work on this, organizing what their IC nation camp will look like, from which they inform me where the PD hire tents will go. Once that’s done, and I know which PD tents are going where, I use that information together with the spreadsheet that tells me the contents of the large, brown boxes with numbers on you see littered about the field (sometimes referred to as ‘coffins’) and produce what we call the Box Map. This logistical exercise basically ensures that, when it goes to plan, the complete tent that a team needs is in a box where it should go. <br /> <br /> As part of that I work very closely with Steve Thomason, one of our tele-handler drivers, who has the job of making sure the coffins are in the right places on the field. I get him the map and he deploys the coffins! He’s my hero. <br /> <br /> That’s assuming that I haven’t made mistakes in deploying those boxes, which I normally do, so we have to shuffle them around a bit! <br /> <br /> Actually I’m being a bit unfair to myself there…. those issues are usually related to the previous takedown. <br /> <br /> Because takedown of the previous event often happens with an ever-dwindling number of tired people and the information I receive on what has gone into the boxes is never 100% accurate, there’s always a certain amount of re-shuffling of misplaced resources to be done during setup. <br /> <br /> During takedown, I supervise the process of packing away every tent and our other equipment as much as possible. This is really important as unless we pack down carefully and record where we’ve stored things, life becomes very difficult for the next event. “Surprise tent in a box!” is a nice problem to have but missing parts from a tent in a box are less so. <br /> <br /> One of my key jobs during setup is to ensure that this resource re-shuffle is happening ahead of the work the tent teams are doing - usually with the help of Steve and the tele-handler.<br /> <br /> Many of our problems occur if it rains just before or during takedown. On those occasions it falls to Ali and usually a very small team to do takedown days or even week after the event once the weather improves and canvas is dry. This is where we often struggle with things not being put where others might expect them, or separated…generally a wet takedown means a difficult setup for the following event as we’re still recovering. For my role it’s a nightmare as it means next setup I’ll be running round the field, flinging lids of boxes to discover their true contents. Recently we’ve evolved a system whereby anyone still working on site during a late takedown just texts me the details of wherever they’ve put things, which I can then keep a record of - that seems to work okay! <br /> <br /> After the event, once I’ve got home and readjusted to life inside a building, I record everything I can onto a spreadsheet for next time. <br /> <br /> Essentially my job is to make sure that whether its setup or takedown, the Red Hats can do their jobs with a minimum of too-ing and fro-ing. Again, a certain amount of frustration is inevitable - there’s going to be something that wasn’t put back somewhere sensible - but I try and minimize that as much as possible. I am hopeful that now we finally have a storage container with shelves (lovely shelves!) and labeled storage crates, those issues will continue to improve. <br /> <br /> Being crew at a PD event is, much like the hobby of LRP itself, an entirely co-operative game; the more you do to help everyone else do what they’re doing, the easier things will be when it’s your turn. While PD has by necessity had to expand and have more specialized teams, this remains the core philosophy of the Red Hats and I think it’s still a vital part of how we run games. I hope we can continue to deliver that attitude and support the teams who do the really cool stuff.<br /> <br /> ==Won't Somebody Think of the Orphans?==<br /> * ''During events Liam Spinage is busy as one-half of the Urizen egregore. Between events, in addition to moderating the Urizen player Facebook group, he's part of the player support team with special responsibility for reading and approving backgrounds - he also occasionally writes IC Empire novels. Here he's talking about player backgrounds (which you can learn more about on the [[Background|background]] page).<br /> As well as being an Egregore and moderator for my nation Facebook group, I read all the backgrounds for characters and groups submitted to PD.<br /> <br /> Usually this takes up one evening a week, every week, over the summer – there are often a few hundred new backgrounds to read between events as new players come on board and old ones create new characters after their previous ones have met some grisly/tragic/glorious/heroic demise.<br /> <br /> Between Event 4 and the New Year I give myself a little rest (by ‘rest’ I mean ‘write Empire fic’) and then start looking at newly submitted backgrounds again ready for Event 1.<br /> <br /> I mostly look for two things in backgrounds. Firstly, there are a number of tags I can add to a character which helps flag them up to the plot team.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Liam Spinage.jpg|caption=Liam Spinage|title=You'd think he'd be into gin, but mostly it seems to be vodka.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> '''Who are you?'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Is your character a criminal or heretic? There are plenty of ways this information can come to light in the game world, even if those acts are in your dim and distant past. Are you medic, military, messenger, militia? These are all elements we can flag to our plot team.<br /> <br /> '''What do you want?'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Do you seek the boons of a specific Eternal, or have a particular axe to grind with one of the Empire’s many enemies? Are you interested in heroics, politics, theatrics, economics? Our plot team can search on all these tags which helps them to formulate and direct plot.<br /> <br /> The other thing I keep an eye out for are elements in backstory which don’t fit with the setting of Empire. There are some submissions we reject, or ask for clarification on but these tend to be few and far between. You can’t come from a foreign land that isn’t on the map, you can’t be a death knight, your fleet can’t be a yellow submarine. <br /> <br /> We encourage you to look at the nation brief for your chosen nation before you submit a background; pay attention to its traditions, naming conventions, archetypes and you’ll fit into your chosen nation better and have a more fun event for it.<br /> <br /> I’ve seen all sorts of backgrounds since we started – some tragic, some inspiring, some less so. That’s OK – what defines you as a character is what you do at Anvil and going forward. Backgrounds are there to give you a reminder of who you are as much as your nation, lineage and skill choices do. They’re a good springboard for your interactions with others as well as for our plot team to look over.<br /> <br /> And yes, there are a lot of orphans out there. The world is a harsh place.<br /> <br /> ==I'd Have Done Mine But==<br /> * ''Harry Harrold has been doing Profound Decision games since before it was popular. You may remember him from a number of roles including spending all his time in an arena asking if the gods were entertained at the top of his voice. Right now he plays John of Meade, who along with Amy Woodhead fulfills the complex role of [[Speaker for the Senate]]. In response to repeated requests to write something, he instead provided a list of excuses as to why he couldn't do them.''<br /> I'd have done mine, but I had to drink cocktails instead. <br /> <br /> I'd have done the paperwork by now, but these cushions won't sit on themselves you know... <br /> <br /> I'd go to over-the-hedge meetings with the constitutional court, but Amy Woodhead can still be bribed with rhubarb gin to go in my place. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine, but I finish work at 11pm, then we go to the bar. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=John of Meade.jpg|caption=Harry Harrold|title=He means it about the cookery competitions.|width=250|align=right}}<br /> I'd have done some writing, but it's more fun helping citizens navigate their way round our procedures to get shit done... and managing their expectations, so when they *do* get excited about doing something, it's less likely to fail for some logistical reason beyond their control. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine, but my &quot;characterisation&quot; is just a minimum facade to cover what's really a purely logistical role - most of the time, anyway. I mean, I've been known to take unscheduled breaks to play foot-the-ball, and you can't play foot-the-ball and do paperwork at the same time - not even when you're on wide defense - unless the ball has got in the tavern somehow. In which case it's dead until removed, which only happens by mutual agreement of both team captains and at least one priest. <br /> <br /> I'd have done mine but I was on my way to or from the Senate building. I'm very happy with the current site layout, which puts the Academy, the Hub and decent toilets within 50 metres of each other. With five trips to the Senate, that's pretty much my weekend sorted. <br /> <br /> I've run out of excuses it seems. Amy Woodhead and I are [[Speaker for the Senate|Speakers for the Senate]]. We're responsible for holding the coats while the politicians fight it out. Most of that game is out in the field, in constantly changing teams of hundreds. We're there to keep the score, when voting happens at Senate sessions, and keep accurate paperwork. We're also there to manage Senate sessions so they're as dramatic as possible for folk who aren't *specifically* involved. And run to time. We are also unbribeable, with all donations going on a spreadsheet, for the amusement of those the players keen enough to read the whole wiki. (''They are also entered in the [[Register of civil service gifts]] - Raff'')<br /> <br /> John Of Meade is also available to judge cookery competitions.<br /> <br /> ==Exhausting But Worth It==<br /> * ''Robin Tynan is a hard-working Blue Cap, part of the [[Referee#GOD|GOD]] team who deal with admin and general queries. They've written about what their event entails, and about some of the less obvious tasks Blue Caps can end up doing.''<br /> Hi I’m Robin! I’ve been playing PD events since 2008 but only jumped the fence to crewing at the start of this year. Now I have four events of being in GOD under my belt and I love it!<br /> <br /> Other than maybe a quick bit of Skype training with Waz (the boss) if there’s been any changes to the database, my Event starts on Thursday morning.<br /> <br /> As soon as we arrive it’s work time. The Red Caps will have the tent up and most of the electrics in by then, but it’s our job to make sure the computers are set up, plugged in and working, get the player pack boxes out, and get all the other bits and bobs needed to run an event in place and organised. We may also spend some time getting last minute plot documents, ribbons or items into people’s players packs as well as getting those last packs printed, packed and into the right boxes. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Ezra.png|caption=Robin Tynan|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Thursday’s are pretty busy but we have a good laugh doing it - the stereo is on and we have a good energy going. Well sort of keeping us going. I am one of the many members of crew who has a disability and there are times when I need to rest. I usually have to take a nap mid afternoon, but that means I am free and able to get on the front desk if we open up on Thursday evening. Waz and the rest of the senior GOD members are lovely and understand that we have to look after ourselves if we want to be a functional team. <br /> <br /> We usually don’t stay in GOD until late on Thursday as we are saving ourselves for the next day. I’m usually out of GOD by 9pm and have a little time to socialise before getting an early night as I know I’ll need my energy for the weekend to come!<br /> <br /> Friday sees us all in GOD by 9:30 after the heads of department have had their meeting. This gives me time to have breakfast, coffee (I love the coffee stand so much) and say hi to friends before getting to work. Friday mornings are all about last minute training and brushing up on odd queries as well as the inevitable last minute player packs. Waz and his deputies will decide what tasks we are going to be on for the day and check our rotas with us. Then I’ll scurry off for a quick snack and cup of tea, or to make sure we have everything we need before 12. At 11:55 we’ll all be in our places running through our personal checklists (where’s my pen? Did I take my meds? Have I got time to run to the loo?) before the tent doors open to players.<br /> <br /> I usually start on the Concessions desk - it lets me sit down so I don’t end up too exhausted or in pain. I’ll spend a frantic couple of hours there checking your IDs and handing out player packs. I absolutely love seeing you all come through, getting to meet you and hopefully sorting out any problems. <br /> Then it’s 2pm and we close for lunch and a well needed break. I don’t know about the others but I get super dehydrated - all that talking, laughter and my water bottle always runs out. So now is time for lunch, maybe a quick nap and rehydrate. Once self care is dealt with it’s back to printing out and filling any new player packs from gate bookings and checking everything is still working smoothly. <br /> <br /> Then we open again at 4pm. We are open then from 4pm until 1am and it is pretty none stop for the entire time. We do get breaks for dinner of course and it’s nice to stretch my legs and see everybody getting ready to go time in. I’ll still be on the concession desk for this period and the enthusiasm of players is fantastic. Later in the evening we will all have some time in the rota off which we can use to go IC if we want. I generally have mine organised so I can head to bed at 11pm - it just suits my health best that way though I am sometimes tempted to kit up and head onto the field. <br /> <br /> Saturday morning is another 9:30am start getting ready to open at 10am. At this point I am starting to feel it! The main rush for player packs has eased up by now so though I am still sat at the same computer, as well as sorting out concession player packs I will also start taking general enquiries which can be anything from bonding an item to sorting out a gate payment to doing some exciting magic for you. A lot of the time it can be uncertain if a question we get is something we can help with as GOD or if it requires a Ref or member of plot. I’ll always do my best to help but if you see me looking properly confused it’s probably because it’s something I need to refer to a Ref. <br /> <br /> Saturday morning also brings with it a slew of players who sadly lost their character in battle. As well as the admin of activating a new character or helping with character creation I also like to take the time to chat to every player. Pretty much everybody in GOD has had a character die at some point and we know it can feel a bit crap. We also know it can be awesome and the source of amazing roleplay and stories. I always like to find out how characters died and do my best to make it a good death for players, especially those with less LARP experience.<br /> <br /> At some point on Saturday I get time to kit up and head on to the field to play (after another nap probably). This is always great fun. GOD crew have proper player characters but because of the time we spend in GOD and the access we have to back-of-house stuff we have some restrictions on what we can do - we don’t hold imperial titles and priests can’t have congregations (because it throws off the synod votes). But that doesn’t mean I can’t really get into the game and have some fun with my group in Highguard.<br /> <br /> After some dinner I am usually back in GOD for the evening until we close for the night at 1am. Because we are the easy OC point of contact for players we often act as a kind of “triage” for player questions. Most of the questions players have are GOD related and we can help with right away but there are times when we may need to refer you to other departments such as the ref team, player welfare, monster or accessibility. No matter what time is it I am always happy to talk to a player or even crew member and see how we can help them. It keeps the job interesting and varied. <br /> <br /> By Saturday night I am normally tired and aching but things slow down a little - the camaraderie of the rest of GOD always keeps me going until we close. We spend a little bit of time shutting down computers and tidying up before it’s off to bed.<br /> <br /> Sunday is another 9:30 start and much as the previous day I fire up a computer and get started with general enquiries - after breakfast and coffee of course. We start the wind down early on Sundays and I might start the day with breaking down unclaimed character packs or filing away things that haven’t been used that event. We get busy post battle, and again I always try and take time to chat to those players who have lost a character.<br /> <br /> At some point on Sunday as players start to pack down their camps we get resources being handed in. There is usually a team member or two supervising the hand-ins and then myself and another team member will start to log them all into the system. It’s slow at first with time to answer other enquiries but as the day goes on my focus is entirely on booking in resources. Once time out is called, we have a quick break for a team meeting which is always lovely, but then it’s straight back to the hand in baggies! All-in-all I may be working solely on those hand-ins from 11am until 5pm. We aim to have as much of GOD packed away and ready to go to storage by 5pm (give or take) so it’s all hands on deck to get that done. <br /> <br /> Then we say our goodbyes.<br /> <br /> I stay on site that night for a crew meal and to catch up with friends (plus my partner is a redcap and there until Monday) and get some well deserved rest until the next event. It’s exhausting but totally worth it.<br /> <br /> ==Security APPROVED==<br /> * ''Sandy has been part of the security team for two years; she helps keep us safe while we sleep (among other jobs).''<br /> Hi, I’m Sandy from the security team, and here is my account of what we do at events (naturally, all sensitive information has been redacted ;-) ).<br /> <br /> We are on duty every night of the event from 1am until 8.30 to make sure that there are members of staff awake and ready to help round the clock. On Thursday, it’s just our team: [NAME REDACTED] known as “The Boss” and [NAMES REDACTED] known as “The Minions”. The best place to find us is the crew welfare hut located between GOD and Monster; even when we’re out on patrol, we regularly return there. On Friday and Saturday nights we are joined by the lovely first aiders. While we roam around, they stay in their warm little home by GOD, so if you need help, head straight there and they will summon us.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Cherry Matcham.jpg|caption=Sandy Wragg|width=250|align=right}}<br /> Our shift starts at [BAR NAME REDACTED] where we help the staff to close down for the night. Then we proceed to the welfare hut for a nice hot brew to get us ready for the first patrol. And then we walk, and walk, and walk some more, returning to the hut from time to time for more caffeine and sugar. The site is really big now - it stretches all the way from [FIELD NAME REDACTED] to [LAKE NAME REDACTED] - and we visit each area at least twice during the night. <br /> <br /> What we actually get to do is variable and unpredictable (apart from walking, of course). In my two years with the team, we dealt with anything from first aid incidents to tent troubles to overflowing showers. Sometimes, more serious things happen; other times, nothing at all. <br /> <br /> Our main concern are the people. Everyone should be safely tucked away for the night and if we find someone who isn’t, we make sure they reach their home-from-home and have everything they need. When the weather is bad, we also keep an eye on the infrastructure, especially the biggest tents, making sure they are secure. Which means that, after being a good walker, being waterproof is the next most important job requirement.<br /> <br /> What I like about it is being able to help people (obviously) but wandering around at night offers many nice surprises. We get to see the site like nobody else does, and visit all the nooks and crannies. People often talk about sounds and smells of Anvil - to me it sounds like gentle noises of sleeping people, and smells like fresh grass in the morning. A night in Anvil is a very peaceful, relaxing time (well, once partying is over). The nature is amazing too: falling stars, beautiful sunrises, mysterious mists in the forest...<br /> <br /> My favourite bit is when, just after sunrise, we visit [CAMP NAME REDACTED] and put their lanterns out. The sun comes into the forest much later than to the rest of the field so, while there may be light outside, here the night magic still lingers...<br /> <br /> ==The Secret Life of Bog Otters==<br /> * ''Ben Stevens heads up the hygeine team at Empire. As he says... no toilets means no event.''<br /> The Bog Otter, in it's native habitat, can be frequently observed utilising tools, such as the plunger...okay enough of that. The hygiene team is one of the less desirable yet critically important jobs on the field. <br /> <br /> As no toilets of course, means no event.<br /> <br /> The sight of us running around, plunger in blue stained hands, shouting about “brown trout” is a fairly rare one and the better things are going, the less of us you'll actually see. The job is a bit like an iceberg, with most of the stuff happening quietly behind the scenes, with a lot of prep before, a fair bit of upkeep during and then a bunch of clearing up afterwards.<br /> .{{CaptionedImage|file=BenStevens.jpg |align=right|width=300|caption=Ben Stevens|title=Without the bog otters... no event.}}<br /> My event starts about 3 or 4 weeks before the actual start date, at the crew prep weekends. This is where the deep cleaning and major repairs, such as boiler replacement, pump servicing and such like go on. It allows us to try to stay on top of the inevitable wear and tear that 2000 odd bottoms will do to the toilets!<br /> Then it's a case of showing up on Wednesday or Thursday to actually get them operating. Running power to them, filling up the waste tank with water n blue and stocking the consumables.<br /> <br /> The actual event is a bit more hectic, with an 8.30 start to go pump out the tanks before time in and refill them with fresh water n chem, so that they are fresh for time in. This is also when any tools, consumables and spare parts get ordered every day, to make sure we don't run out of the vital stuff. Then during the day it's half a dozen at minimum checks on the stock levels, making sure the secret storage boxes are loaded and ready and bins emptied. Plus making sure the bogs are reasonably clean, making sure the showers storage tanks have water along with gas for the boilers, as well as filling the tanks to refill the toilets the next day.<br /> And of course, any repairs or emergencies that need to be dealt with.<br /> <br /> Then on Sunday around 5, all of those nice hire blocks need to be cleaned down so that we can return them in the condition we received them in.<br /> This takes me and three others about 3 hours to do, then we can finally relax and have a shower. But, it's not all over yet!<br /> <br /> Before I leave on Monday, all of the storage tanks need to be emptied from the toilets and replaced with clean water. All tools and stock boxes collected, all bins emptied n put away, power disconnected and the main storage cabin tidied Then, in the evening I get to go home and rest my weary little otter head.<br /> <br /> So there you have it, an insight into the very literal PD “S**t job” but someone really does have to do it.<br /> <br /> And oddly, I'm happy for it to be me as there is always something new to learn and something (often gross) to discover.<br /> <br /> Certainly beats a desk job!<br /> <br /> ==Weekend in the Life==<br /> * ''This piece was written by Jonathon Cooper, a fairly new ref, after the Autumn Equinox 382YE. It recounts a day in the life of a (fairly new) ref.''<br /> I started reffing two events ago, having been a player for 3 years. Normally refs focus on either field reffing or skirmish and battle reffing, but having just started I've recently experienced all three, so I thought I'd write about it.<br /> <br /> Getting to site, I check in with Emma and set up my tent, then head to GOD to get my tools of the trade ready. Printing off and guillotining my Signs and Portents pack, checking out my radio and tablet and making sure I have my notebook (essential for writing down details of rituals and bondings in places the wifi doesn't reach) and picking up traumatic wounds. After that I hit the field before time in to catch up with friends. After time in it's difficult to interact with people socially, being an incorporeal part of the fabric of reality, so I really value the time I get to spend with them while timed out.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Jonathon Cooper.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Jonathon Cooper}}<br /> '''Field Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> After time in I start doing what I spend most of my weekend doing - field reffing. I head to the regio and gate, expecting there to be people who need rituals processed and items bonded before they go on their first skirmishes, and sure enough there are many. After clearing that backlog I start walking the field. After checking things are under control at the regio, I set off on my chosen route through Urizen and the Brass Coast to Dawn and Wintermark, through the back alley to Navarr and the Imperial Orcs, then turn around and do the same again, being available for people to grab me if they need me. This role involves a lot of walking. Interspersed with that are calls over the radio for free refs to process things, such as a Signs and Portents party, or (my favourite) reffing a cursing.<br /> <br /> '''Battle Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> On Saturday instead of going to the field I head straight to monster where the battle refs are mustering. For battles we need more refs than the crew ref team can handle, so some players put on tabards to help out. We're briefed on any special rules for the battlefield, what the player objectives are and any information we've been given from players and monsters on what they're planning, which players and monsters have mass effect rituals, etc, all so we can make good decisions about where to be, where crushes might appear and how to resolve them. The refs and medics then do a battlefield walk together to make sure everyone knows the likely locations for fighting, and we look for specific hazards and how we plan to handle them. Saturday's battle was almost entirely on the field, so this was simple and brief, but on Sunday we had a much more in-depth inspection of the woods and fort area, planning how we'd handle fighting around the fort and ensuring we all knew the landmarks to describe our location if we needed to summon a medic, since navigation is harder in the woods.<br /> <br /> This battle had two miasma pillars, and I volunteered to handle one, standing nearby and calling out the effect to people that strayed too near. Once the battle moved off from my pillar I joined the other refs watching the battle lines, making sure fallen people aren't stepped on, ensuring rules are followed properly and handling Man Downs (none for me today thankfully). I also spent some time checking in on fallen players, letting them know the terminal rules and that they're doing ok OC.<br /> <br /> After the battlefield is timed out the refs gather and we have a debrief, talking about what went well and what could have gone better as a ref team, and raising any specific problems.<br /> <br /> '''Skirmish Reffing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Saturday afternoon I'd asked to ref some skirmishes. We have two concurrent skirmish teams going and I joined the team working in the woods. We'd start by finding our plot writer, get the briefing and any special conditions we need to be aware of. We ask how the skirmish is expected to go, and also plan for what should happen if things don't go as planned - I didn't expect a fight to kick off between summer heralds and players on the senate floor, but you have to be prepared for if it does! The skirmish and plot crew get themselves kitted up and ready, then one ref heads to the gate to meet the players while everyone else set up in the woods. The players open the gate and then we take them to the woods entrance, and the skirmish happens. As refs we then stand back and handle safety, rules and the occasional Man Down, while the skirmish unfolds as played out by the NPC crew and players, though sometimes we need to step in to give briefings for specific events such as rituals. I can't go in to too many details about happenings on quests, but highlights from this event were some highly entertaining exorcisms and some players encountering their ancestors.<br /> <br /> Each team runs a quest every 30 minutes, each lasting 20 minutes, so after we finish one we get a short break, then we start the cycle again. Time to track down a plot writer...<br /> <br /> ==She Doesn't Even Go Here==<br /> * ''Clare Evans is an old hand at Profound Decisions and the second member of the Game Team to write about the Autumn Equinox event. She has a lot of responsibilities which come roughly together under the heading of &quot;Player Support&quot; - organising the egregores, civil servants, Academy, and Three Refrains; heading up the New Player team; and working with the Conduct team among other jobs.''<br /> “You should do one yourself” <br /> <br /> My first thought was that would give the secret away and everyone would know that I mostly drink tea and gossip at events. So between events I answer emails to the new player email address, the backgrounds address and by PM. These are mostly directing people to the most helpful area of the wiki, helping them with confidence to come to the event, helping with backgrounds and answering the strangest most unpredictable questions about life in the Empire you can think of. I exist in a permanent guilt bubble about not answering these fast enough as my real life job takes a lot of my time. I also plan schedules for player support events before time in, sweet talk people into field NPC roles and take part in conduct meetings and decisions. I also try to post on the Empire LRP and Player Support pages highlighting parts of the game and wiki that would be good to read and brush up on the rules/style of the game. Then there’s finalising crew levels and requirements for them from GOD and admin. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=ClareEvans.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Clare Evans|title=Our glorious leader.}}<br /> Every Wednesday there’s a Skype meeting which covers everything from tiny rules change details, to battle numbers, to ethical decisions about how we run our game. <br /> <br /> I also try and manage the field NPC kit and prop needs. <br /> <br /> The week before the event I finalise the Player Support for the event and post it online. I make sure everyone has the kit and props they need. Check that Dave is ok to print briefs for the egregores, bards and civil service. Pack the van and go to work for the week. Wednesday night I go to Als, make sure I’ve answered all the emails I can before the event and drink rum. <br /> <br /> Thursday morning I go to site via a shop to buy cherry coke and as many lollipops as possible to keep people quiet in the new player meetings. Then there’s a big breakfast and a quick psyche up session before getting to site. <br /> <br /> I check in with Andy, Matt and Graeme, talk to as many of my team as possible and distribute meal tickets to them as I see them. Thursday evening my team and I meet outside the Senate building and talk to everyone we can find who looks like they might be new, might need company or otherwise doesn’t move fast enough to get away from us. Usually at this point I find someone who’s at their first event alone and take them off to meet people. <br /> <br /> Friday morning starts with tea and the Heads of Department meeting in GOD where we get a general overview of how things are going and anything to be aware of over the weekend. I don’t usually have much to add at this point as I’ve not really started. <br /> <br /> I then move all my things about to the correct places, get stuff down to the Hub, talk to anyone I see from the night before and get a pep talk about it being ok. <br /> <br /> The new player meetings start at 2 and we run two of them most events. Friday then disappears into a blur of being reassuring, excited about all the new people about to have their first event and checking the other scheduled events go off ok. We’ve been running more and more each event nd I’m really excited about how it’s all developing. Last event I went to the start of the Public Speaking Class, ran a new player meeting, checked on the skirmish and then ran a second meeting. When time in hits I’m trying to rush all my OC stuff off the field to be out of the way of the Hub.<br /> <br /> There’s a few things I have to be in set places for during the event and around them I walk and talk and answer radio calls. At 9 am Saturday and Sunday the field NPCs, Matt, Andy, Graeme and any plot writers who want to have a meeting. It’s like chairing a meeting of cats, who wander off, don’t listen, get distracted and turn up late. We are pretty good at keeping it to half an hour – ish! This is where field staff get to feedback what’s happening and if plot is hitting or missing and any queries or concerns. I make a list during this and that details most of what I do that day. <br /> <br /> I always make sure I’m at both gate openings to liaise with Emma and Tom and the egregores to make sure the gate opens at 11 on the dot! Then the team who aren’t on the battle go for breakfast together and scoop up any loitering players and take them too. If there’s anything big happening which I think might be a bit contentious for any reason I try to be in the background to offer back up to the NPCs and help any players who might need it. <br /> <br /> I try to do a couple of circuits of the field every day to see what’s happening and stop to talk to anyone I recognise from the New Player Meetings and my team. <br /> <br /> I swing through the Hub and try and help with any problems they’re having. Sometimes I remember to drop into the box and catch up with Matt, Andy and Graeme. <br /> <br /> At dusk I try to be sat on the box outside the Imperial Orc camp to watch the lights of Anvil come on, that’s’ straight up just for me, it’s the moment I get to look at our living breathing town and be smug about what we’ve achieved. <br /> <br /> At any point during this I might get a radio call to summon me across site, I get called for all the odd and weird stuff, flooded tents, plot queries that need a person to investigate backstage, dead or alive queries for egregores, can they really do this queries from egregores, helping people get involved in the game, helping people after character death, talking people through IC problems and helping them realise that they aren’t as bad as they first seemed. <br /> <br /> I also am on call to Emma to help with conduct queries. <br /> <br /> Basically I kind of do nothing and everything. Sometimes I remember to eat. Sometimes it’s really hard and I wonder why I volunteered to do it all. But when I see someone who was extra nervous at the first event come back again and love it or people show me how much they’ve done since they started coming, or show me what they’ve made or tell me their adventures or are too busy to talk to me because they’re throwing it all at the game it’s the best feeling.<br /> <br /> ==It Would Help If Players Stayed In One Place==<br /> * ''This is a short piece written by Kit Armstrong-Gardner, one of our NPC Crew, after the Autumn Equinox. In reality, there's several departments that come under the very broad heading of &quot;NPC Crew&quot; - but usually when we say talk about NPC crew specifically we mean people who play assorted roles over the course of a weekend in collusion with plot writers. They spend a lot of their time on the field at Anvil... looking for the right player-characters.''<br /> Hi I'm Kit, one of your friendly NPC crew. Different to skirmish in that we ''probably'' aren't trying to kill you. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Kit.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=Kit Armstrong-Gardner}}<br /> What I do at empire starts usually a couple weeks before hand, on the NPC crew Facebook, where our wonderful plot writers start putting up short snippets of plots or roles they need going out into the field at the next event, that might need the NPC to familiarise themselves with a complex brief or a section of the wiki. I usually check in the writer with whom I have a recurring NPC as to how much they're likely to need me on field before I sign up to any precast roles, and ensure I only sign up to roles at times that NPC isn't needed. <br /> <br /> A few days before the event I write out my schedule, check in with any writers that I haven't had briefs from etc to get everything straight. <br /> <br /> On the actual Friday of the event, there is an NPC briefing at 4pm where the main information we need to know for the weekend is given out (well, as I understand it. Being a teacher in my real life means I've yet to make it on site by 4pm...). Then it's final briefs and getting kitted up for any roles that need to role out ready for time in, consulting Beth Charlton's magical board of plot to see if anything needs filling if not in a precast role. <br /> <br /> The rest of the weekend is spent between the encounter tents, skirmish field and Anvil being a variety of people and things for players to poke, question, interact, annoy and make deals with. After each role I return to the monster tent to complain about players being impossible to find, be shouted at by Beth to eat something and most importantly write my debrief. This is electronic, and how we are able to let plot writers have a record of what we did, who we spoke to, and what ramifications we think it might have on their plot as currently written. <br /> <br /> Roles I have played range from reccuring Heralds, to thug number three, but all of them are designed to enrich you as players games and push plots forward. I am often out on plot from time in to 10/11 at night each night, and time out on Sunday. I can play upwards of 10 roles a weekend if it's a particularly plot heavy event. I circle Anvil more times than my body can realistically handle, and I love every second that is interacting with players! <br /> <br /> But it would be much easier if you all stayed put!<br /> <br /> ==Reffing Empire==<br /> * ''David James has been reffing Profound Decisions events for longer than anyone can remember. Indeed, he was there at the first ever rules meeting where the earliest attempt at the Empire rules set was made. Here he talks about what he does as an Empire [[referee]]. You can learn more about what it takes to become an Empire ref [[Current_crewing_opportunities#Referees_.286_spaces.29|here]] - from what I understand it is somewhat different to the role played in some other fest LRP systems.<br /> '''Introduction'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Afternoon everyone, as part of this ongoing series on behind the scenes looks I'm going to present at least part of the ref perspective. I've been reffing for PD on and off since about 2007 and hope to supply some insight into how reffing works at Empire and how that differs from previous games.<br /> <br /> '''Overview'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> One big difference between Maelstrom and Empire is the organisation of the ref teams - we never had more than about half a dozen at Maelstrom, often only 3 or 4 and we all tended to cover all roles. At Empire the overall team is much larger - around 10-12 depending on attendance. There are also more tightly defined roles - skirmish, field and desk, though people tend to jump to what's required when there's a shortage in one area. I’ll also mention at this point we’re often short handed and would love to pick up some more crew refs. <br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=DavidJames.png|align=right|width=300|caption=David James|title=I have no idea what is going on in this picture.}}<br /> I've mostly done field and desk jobs in my time on the team so this won't really cover battle and skirmish reffing but I'm reliably informed that there's one of these coming from one of the fine folks on that topic.<br /> <br /> '''Rules design and principle'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Before I get into the day to day task, I'd like to say a few words on rules designs and reffing principles. One thing that's very important in a game of this scale is that everyone gets the same treatment as far as rules go - from the newest player to the Empress or a Triumvir bringing an NPC onto the field. As such the rules aim to be clear and definitive with little room for interpretation and one of the tasks of a ref is to aim to keep this true by not allowing effects onto the field that require that kind of interpretation or break one of the basic rules principles. You may have heard of the of the principle of &quot;Rulings not Rules&quot; applied to tabletop roleplaying games, but here the opposite needs to be in effect to ensure fair treatment for all participants.<br /> <br /> This is also why you'll often see a ref call the desk for clarification - we don't want rules calls to be inconsistent, so we'll push the request up to either Emma (our formidable Head Ref) or one of the Triumvirs depending on the nature of the query. This means we don't have the same kind of free-form experimentation that we saw at Maelstrom, but this game isn't really about that and it means you can be confident that if you get a call, you'll get the same one next time - and so will your rivals.<br /> <br /> '''Between events'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Unlike a lot of the teams, the work of the Ref is almost completely limited to time-in. We don't handle rules queries directly - in accordance with the above principles they get handled by Graeme or Emma. We do have facebook group where we discuss the odd rules topic but mostly engagement is limited to a couple of days beforehand where we volunteer to ref for specific encounters.<br /> <br /> '''Arrival and briefing'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Set up for the ref desks is fairly straightforward - everything gets packed down at the end of the event and the snakes nest of laptops, tablets and chargers are re-deployed in the vain hope that this time this time they'll all still be working at the end of the event. There's a ref briefing on the Friday afternoon covering any plots needing refs and any important rules or safety information but there's little else formal to do - time is spent helping with other set up, making up Traumatic Wound lammies and double checking there are no outstanding issues from last event. Doug helps with the New Player orientation and it's fairly common to walk the site to re-familiarise yourself with the layout, you'll often be getting direction to a tent somewhere in the dark woods so it pays to keep up to date.<br /> <br /> '''On the Field'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> After time in is when we really go on shift. We head out with tablets, radios and bags full of Traumatic Wounds and visions and await player requests. There can often be long periods where we just patrol without being needed then bursts where all hands are needed on deck, inevitable as a result of the reactive nature of what we try to do. The aim is to be visible without being obtrusive so we can be easily found when needed but easily ignored when not. This is kind of a synthesis of the Maelstrom and Odyssey approaches - at Maelstrom we were in bright hi-vis, clearly OOC intrusions into the game world whereas at Odyssey the Drowned Dead existed as IC entities. Both approaches had problems - the glaring OCness of one led to immersion breaking whereas the IC nature of the other led people who needed refs for IC nefariousness avoiding them in case it fed back IC.<br /> <br /> The field tends to be pretty quiet so if you need a ref and there's one wandering past they may be just racking up their Fitbit high score so feel free to approach them, they'll be able to summon another for you if they are on some other task.<br /> <br /> '''At the Regio'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> While we do get requests to ref rituals elsewhere on the field, the real magical action is at the Regio. I enjoy taking shifts there - there's a constant flow of players and cool roleplay going on (as well as a nice dry chair and the chance to spook people with the SFX). Chasing off after a curse laden player aiming to throw a Pronouncement of Doom is always a highlight, particularly when the ritualist has got several on them...<br /> <br /> '''Behind the Desk'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Partly a nerve centre, partly somewhere to put your feet up after getting that high score, the desk acts as second line support for GOD and a way for refs who are out of tablet battery or connectivity to get player actions processed while out in the field. During quiet periods it's also where we dream up new and unusual trama to add to the decks.<br /> <br /> '''Supporting Plot'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Whether in encounter tents or on the field many plots require a ref presence to communicate unusual effects or to ensure that rules are being followed in the high-intensity situations that sweep after the various denizens of the world of Empire that Plot send out. The job here is to be available but out of the way, which can be tricky in the smaller encounter tents! Ideally here you don't have to do anything other than be present and shuttle the players too and from from the Sentinel Gate for off-field encounters - and we typically manage that - but the disruption inherent in needing a ref when there isn't one means ensuring that these always have someone assigned. The opportunity to help facilitate the more elaborate experiences of the game make this a fulfilling way to spend a couple of hours every event.<br /> <br /> '''Debrief'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Inevitably there are issues arising every event, from IT failures meaning that we need to take player details for rituals or ceremonies down by hand to seeing the impact of rule changes in action and whether these are having the desired effect so we dump all this into a document that gets reviewed at event end and between to make sure we're on top of it all - this then sparks the discussions that lead us back to next events preparations.<br /> <br /> '''Hunt for &quot;Some Ref&quot;'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> I hope that's given you all some insight into what Refs do and why, and so I'd like to ask for some help finding a rogue. We from time to time hear that &quot;Some Ref&quot; told a player that they didn't have to fall down from being hit by STRIKEDOWN, or that they could just ignore roleplay effects they didn't like or similar japery. This nefarious devil clearly needs to be caught so we are offering a reward for information leading to their capture. (The reward is lammies) (The lammies are Traumatic Wounds)<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Graeme2.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Graeme W. Jamieson|title=Fails to mention the barely diluted orange drink he supplies.}}<br /> <br /> ==Graeme's Event Cycle==<br /> * '''''Graeme W. Jamieson''' is a senior member of the game team. Of the four of us, Graeme is usually the one who spends the most time on the field IC providing &quot;clarity&quot; to various people, usually in the Military Council and the Senate. He is also &quot;the Numbers and Strategy Guy&quot; in our particular event heist team, and has the strongest grasp of the actual Rules of the Game.<br /> '''PROLOGUE'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> My event starts several weeks before the actual event. This is when Matt will close downtime. At this point, we take the data of what everyone has done at the event, where the armies are fighting, what enchantments and curses are relevant, process them all through one big spreadsheet, and use cold hard logic to decide who wins each fight. This then gets passed to Andy, who turns my unfeeling numbers into wonderous prose for players to enjoy.<br /> <br /> Next major event is 1-2 weeks in advance. This is when we'll start looking at the Arcane Projections for the event. These vary from the ingenious to the... less ingenious (&quot;I'd like to turn Navarr into a Trifle!&quot;), and take between 5 minutes and an hour each depending on complexity. Average is about 15 minutes I think, and for the last event we had 90 (Though that's the final number, at this point we'll probably have about 60-70)<br /> <br /> On the Wednesday of the week before the event, I'll download my google docs with all the data we've been working on, stick it on my laptop, and get ready to leave the next morning.<br /> <br /> '''THURSDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> One sleep and a 7 hour car drive later, I'm now in a field, and it's mid-afternoon Thursday. At this point I'll start processing data frantically, with the following priorities:<br /> <br /> # Arcane Projections - Any APs that we've put aside to discuss or that have been submitted since the last check are now due. These need to to go GOD to be handed out, so this is crucial to cause them as few issues as possible. This includes any that we are failing, which need to have details on why we're failing them. This is then signed off for Matt to manually add compassion for failures.<br /> # Army Locations and Force Strength - Casualties and resupply and anything else we might have missed are checked, and the data is then move from the spreadsheet to the Database, so that Matt can spit out the army reports<br /> # Fort and Contested Territory progress - This is new, but needs updated at this point.<br /> # The Imperial Treasury - I now process the Imperial Accounts, applying any changes to Taxation, Costs, income, validating to motions which were passed to give out funds or abrogate Imperial Stuff. This spits out the bottom line of the Budget for the Senate, and a complete set of accounts for the Master of the Mint.<br /> # Eyes - I now go about finalising the Eyes data for scrying results upon the Empire. This covers: Shrouds that are in place; and the results of the Rituals Eye of the High Places; Eyes of the Sun and Moon; and Dreams in the Witch House. This is then saved off for Andy to add Flavour and to verify there's not any relevant plot effects we've missed.<br /> # Battle Options - I now sign off on and format the Battles options that Tom has written. These will have been being worked on for some time, but this is the final check.<br /> # Compile General's Reports - The 3 reports for generals are then compiled into a pack for each individual general. If I'm really lucky I'll remember the Scouting Report for the Scouting Army.<br /> <br /> '''FRIDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> At this point, it's now magically about 5pm on Friday, if I'm lucky, and 7pm if I'm not. I might have squeezed in a meeting with the Refs in there, but probably not, as I am the worst. No doubt a number of weird and wonderful crises will have also passed through The Cave as well, but they're now all dealt with.<br /> <br /> I'll now kit up, grab my paperwork, and go in character as Auditor of the Imperial Treasury Gerard La Salle. I'll spend until 8pm in the Hub, sticking my nose into stuff and providing &quot;clarity&quot; where needed.<br /> <br /> At 8pm, I'll head in to the Military Council. I'm hear to answer any questions around the options and the campaign that are mechanical in nature, and to provide senior game team support. They'll spend a good amount of time debating the options, and will choose who will go when, and where they will be going.<br /> <br /> As soon as they've made that choice, I'll leave that meeting and head to Senate. Senate Starts at 10 on Friday, and if I'm lucky I'll again make it there for the start. Again, I'm there to provide &quot;clarity&quot; where needed, and to provide senior game team support.<br /> <br /> Senate will end, I'll attempt to find the Master of the Mint and arrange with them what time they would like their meeting at. I'll now crawl back to The Cave, where we'll discuss what's happened throughout the day, and any issues arising from MC or Senate.<br /> <br /> At some point, I'll go to bed.<br /> <br /> '''SATURDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> Saturday will dawn, and I'll get up, and feel a brief moment of joy that I'm not longer working through the night on Arcane Projections.<br /> <br /> At 9am, I'll head to Clare's Field NPC meeting, where we catch up with the Civil Servants, Egregores, Academy, and the Bards.<br /> <br /> At 10:30, I'll head over to the Monster Reception Station (where player monsters check in before the Battle - Raff), where Thomas, Mark, and I will agree the exact cutoff point for accepting players. Everyone after half past 10 is late, but we need to agree when is &quot;Late! Go Go Go!&quot; and when is &quot;I'm sorry, you're too late&quot;. Event 4 was the first time with me doing this personally, which is a change we made as we are at this point disappointing player who've wanted to Monster the battle, but turned up too late to be able to do so, and so we felt it should be someone from the senior game team to do so.<br /> <br /> Once that's done (Around 11ish), I'll have nothing planned until about half 12, so I'll either have breakfast, catch up on issues outstanding, or head to my meeting with the MoM if they wanted it in that time.<br /> <br /> At about half 12, I'll sit in a take reports from refs on the battles. This is from volunteer players making reports of serious incidents on the battles, either where they've had to talk to a player and dealt with it (which just gets noted, in case we can use it to spot a pattern of bad behaviour versus a one off occurrence), or more serious instances which need followed up on (often where they've spoken to the player and received abuse in response).<br /> <br /> I want to take a short interlude to talk about that. It's something that's worrying me quite a lot, and that's people hurling abuse at volunteers on battlefields. This isn't acceptable. I spend this hour on each of the Saturday and Sunday taking in reports so that we can try and combat this post event. It's not exactly the high point of my weekend.<br /> <br /> We'll also have the results of the battle, which I'll try and find a way to get to Sam in the military council.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 2, Amy and Jon will turn up for Senate Scrutiny. This is actually the second scrutiny meeting of the weekend, but the first one happens during the Friday MC meeting, so I miss that one. This is where the Constitutional Court goes over the senate motions to check if there's something we need to advise on, or something that's obviously awry. It's a fun meeting, but does need us to balance IC and OC quite heavily at times.<br /> <br /> Once that meeting's done, I'll head IC, and hang about in the Hub, providing &quot;clarity&quot;, until the 4pm Senate Session. Where I will again provide &quot;clarity&quot;.<br /> <br /> After Senate, I head back to The Cave, catch up with M&amp;A on what I've missed, and help where I can.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 7pm, it's time for the third scrutiny meeting! Once that meeting's done, I'll head IC, and hang about in the Hub, providing &quot;clarity&quot;, until the 9pm Senate Session. Where I will again provide &quot;clarity&quot;.<br /> <br /> After Senate, I'll head back to the Cave and discuss the dealings of the day, between the various houses of state and similar, and we'll discuss anything urgent arising.<br /> <br /> Matt will start to fret about the weather.<br /> <br /> We'll wind down, and I'll fall asleep some time between 12 and 1.<br /> <br /> '''SUNDAY'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> At 9am, I'll again head to Clare's Field NPC meeting and catch up with everyone. At 10:30, it's back over to the Monster Reception Station.<br /> <br /> Once that's done (Around 11ish), I'll have breakfast. In this hour I also need to make sure the Order sheets for generals are printed so they can write their army orders on them.<br /> <br /> At about half 12, I'll again take reports from refs on the battles. We'll also have the results of the battle, which again need to get to Sam on the field so she can brief the generals IC.<br /> <br /> Shortly after 12, Amy and Jon will turn up for the Sunday Senate Scrutiny meeting. The astute will notice that I'm potentially in 2-3 meeting simultaneously here, and you're not wrong. They sometimes manage to slot together well, but I prioritise the Refs over Scrutiny where they don't (As M&amp;A can do Scrutiny without me).<br /> <br /> As soon as that's all done, I'll run out to the 1pm Military Council with the order sheets. I'll stay there until I have all the army orders (providing &quot;clarity&quot; as required) and then rush to Senate, where I'll be until time out.<br /> <br /> After time out, I'll stagger back to the cave with the Generals' orders, and write them all up. Then I'll either get in my car and drive home, or crash out for an hour or two before dinner, and drive back the next day.<br /> <br /> '''EPILOGUE'''&lt;br&gt;<br /> A week after the event, we'll have a call and I'll provide Matt with the General's orders, and shortly after that he'll open downtime.<br /> <br /> And then we return to the start.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Emma.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=Emma Rowden|title=Hasn't broken the internet in, gosh, hours.}}<br /> ==What I do when not egregoring==<br /> * '''''Emma Rowden''' has been involved with Empire for quite a while, as a player, an egregore, another egregore, a facebook moderator, and a battle ref among other things. They've written a few words about what they do between and during events.''<br /> So, in addition to my role as Egregore (Which [[#We Do Indeed Have a Job|Peter Green]] has already covered very comprehensively!), over the last few years I’ve also picked up a bunch of other odd jobs around Empire both at events and online<br /> <br /> By far and away my biggest (In terms of volume and time) job for Empire LRP is as moderator on the official facebook groups. Currently I’m one of your friendly neighbourhood moderators for the main Empire LRP group (2.5k members), the page (5,295 likes), Dawn (1.2k members) and Navarr (1.5k members). Whilst we’re a reasonable sized team there’s still a lot of work to do and there’s no real “off” time as people are posting 24/7. We do our best to arrange cover if any of us are off on holiday or are away. When the Winds of Fortune are going up, I can get upwards of 200 notifications a day!<br /> <br /> On an average day I review people who’ve asked to join the groups to try to weed out any bots. I also try to have a cursory glance at most posts that go up, quickly parsing them as whether they contain any hot topics that are likely to cause people to have strong reactions. If it’s likely to and the post itself doesn’t contravene any moderation rules, I’ll “Follow” it and lurk in the comments section in case I’m needed. If something contentious from PD is about to be posted, we might get a quick heads up from the Boss to be vigilant. People often also PM me if they’re concerned about anything they see.<br /> <br /> If we have to moderate anything we try to PM the people involved or put a post on the related thread explaining the action we’ve taken. All of this is recorded and documented in case we need to refer to it later. We often discuss best practice or how things could be done better next time. Clare as Player Support Head and Emma as Head of Conduct also keep an eye out in case they need to get involved.<br /> <br /> At events, in addition to Egregore things I also help Nick run the Weapons demos. Along with Johnny, I’m one of Nick’s combat test dummies. We cover what Empire LRP fights should look like, the rules, the calls and a whole bunch of safety issues that can arise when fighting. Everything from “What is (And isn’t) a stab safe weapon” to “getting consent before touching people when healing”. No question is too daft! This usually takes about 45 mins and sees me bouncing off trees and hamming up dying multiple times. It’s a lot of fun and is a useful refresher even for older hands!<br /> <br /> I also help out on the New Player Skirmish which David runs, with a bunch of other folks like Maz and Tim. We split the new players into 2 groups and run a couple of basic combat scenarios such as a fighting retreat, or rescuing a target. Everyone gets an opportunity to try on an orc mask and to have a go with using their character’s skills. It might only be 20 a side but it’s a good introduction to what Empire combat can be like. Sometimes we even get the smoke machines out too!<br /> <br /> Whilst the rest of Highguard are monstering, I can be found in a yellow and black tabard Battle Reffing. Battle refs are there to help with any Rules or Safety issues that might occur during a battle.<br /> <br /> After the 9am player support briefing I head over to where the rest of the refs are meeting. We have a ref briefing which covers the battle plan and any potential issues that might occur. Then we head into the battle area and spread out around the likely combat zone. Often I’ll pick a group of monsters or an EMU and stick with them. There are also plot refs on respawn points and battle refs on any notable features such as regios. We have radios and can hear the count down to the gate opening and the players arriving. Our radio channel has other refs on it and first aid. We can call for Emma Woods if necessary who can liaise with the plot team who are on another channel.<br /> <br /> During the course of a battle I will speak to players to check their understandings of rules and take their PIDs or names, calling on other refs if necessary for support. I will hand out traumatic wound cards to people who I see doing particularly excellent roleplay. I will help players avoid any safety hazards such as barbed wire fences and help de-escalate and control other potential danger zones such as crushes (I get hit a surprising amount whilst doing this!). If a man-down is called in my vicinity I’ll first check on the injured person and do a basic assessment as to whether they’re walking wounded, just need a minute, or we need the first aid team. If the first aid team is needed I’ll radio them, giving a location and a rough idea of the injury. Once I’m not needed there, me and the other refs will try and get the battle started again as safely and quickly as possible.<br /> <br /> Once the battle is over all the refs will meet up for a debrief. We’ll share any PIDs we took which will then be logged on the PD database, any general rules issues we had (e.g. people executing poorly or unsafely) and any things that went well or that we feel we could have done better. Then I’ll get back into egregore kit and head into Highguard.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Peter.png|align=right|width=300|caption=Peter Green|title=Stopping any Freeborn tripping over their tagelmust and impaling themselves on spikes is a full-time job.}}<br /> <br /> ==We Do Indeed Have a Job==<br /> * '''''Peter Green''' writes about being an [[egregores|egregore]] and about his his experiences as one of the newer members of the Player Support team.''<br /> I was ridiculously honoured to be asked to write something about what exactly it is that Egregores do. Contrary to popular belief, we do indeed have a job. You see, I’m rather new to the Player Support Team having done a whole two events as the Brass Coast Egregore. I have been asked back and not banned forever, so I can’t have done too badly. This puts me in a pretty cool position of being able to comment about the learning curve and duties of an Egregore with fresh eyes.<br /> <br /> I firmly believe that Egregoring is one of the most fun and rewarding jobs I’ve done at a LRP, let alone at Empire. It seems to take a little from several other sections of the game- a little reffing, a little playing, a LOT of meddling. And a truly inordinate amount of combining other words with the word ‘egregore’.<br /> <br /> We are field crew - this means we spend the game time almost entirely on the field, in character. Our entire job is to help players to have fun, find the game they want, and enable whatever dreadful schemes they have. It’s a pretty tough mental switch to make if you’ve come straight from being a player. Your success condition becomes other people’s successes and stories, and that is what you focus on. It can be easy to feel like you haven’t achieved anything, or been particularly memorable. But if a player can point to you, and say you helped them, well, that’s a win.<br /> <br /> Before I do a bit of a ‘day in the life’ about what I spent my last game doing, I’m just gonna clear up some common misconceptions:<br /> <br /> * We do play characters. They can have IC opinions and views and personal connections, and do in fact ROLEPLAY. They’re not just lampshades for a OC help point and can absolutely be interacted with on a personal level.<br /> * This doesn’t mean it translates to OC bias. If you feel like you can’t go to your egregore for OC help, they’re doing something wrong.<br /> * Yes, we can die. Ask Wintermark and The Coast.<br /> * No, we don’t start with more character points than anybody else.<br /> * Our ‘special powers’ essentially come down to seeing if a character is alive or dead and opening the gate. Seriously pals, we are not loaded with magical macguffins.<br /> <br /> With that out the way…<br /> <br /> The first thing the job seems to include is walking. No, more than that. Before time in we have new player meets, briefings and other bits and bobs to pick up. As soon as time in hits, I tend to hit the ground running. Meet new players IC, find out what their goals are. Check up on old groups and see if they need any help or just have a chat. Usually there’s a LOT of introducing people to each other. Helping forge connections is really, crucially important. You have to have a pretty good head on who does what in your nation, so you can point people in the right direction.<br /> <br /> Helps if you know the rest of the field too. There’s a lot of showing people to the correct place if they don’t know where something is in Anvil. Unhelpfully, sometimes it’s a LOT of guesswork, but you know. Don’t tell anybody I said that. Gotta look all knowing.<br /> <br /> There’s a few other formalised duties. Opening the gate is probably the biggest and consistently the most nervewracking. You stand in front of half the nations, grandstanding. It seems to be a honest fifty fifty split on how they can go, with it depending as much on the weather and the general mood as anything else. There is literally nothing worse than performing and looking out at a sea of backs or indifferent faces. Engaging the crowd is always our aim, to get them riled up and ready to fight. If we get a cheer, that’s our aim achieved.<br /> <br /> Other bits and pieces that are slightly less intimidating are things like presiding over people coming and going in your nation, being sad at funerals, checking on the status of characters and doing adminy bits like arranging the senatorial elections/auctions/festivals. The main thing to constantly keep in mind is that you are there to facilitate, not to lead. That’s up to the players. Wrangle logistics, spitball ideas, spread messages, but DON’T tell people what to do.<br /> <br /> At the beginning of each morning, we have a super secret meeting to gossip about player actions and to let the plot team know if hooks have been picked up or dropped, if there’s a lack of interest in something or even if we have an idea about what might want to be poked at in the future. By reporting back to the plot team, we give them an idea about how their work is actually hitting the field in real time.<br /> <br /> We’re also a point of contact (via radio) to get hold of refs/GOD/redcaps/accessibility crew, report OC safety issues, check on skirmish and battle times and other various appointments. Importantly, we probably shouldn’t mediate rules disputes and most of us don’t have tablets. We are so not trusted with that power. Trust me, it’s for the best. That’s why we have our amazing refs.<br /> <br /> Character skills can also play a big role in how you support player action. I mostly took priest skills - so I can stick roleplaying effects on anything that moves and use it as an IC encouragement to incite action if a player is showing reticence. Other egregores may take combat skills so they can battle alongside their nation or magic so they can assist in rituals. We are pretty much all broke though. Except the League Egregores, predictably.<br /> <br /> The biggest part of our job, arguably, is re-enforcing the national brief. We make sure that there is an IC presence nudging people to stay within the confines of the brief without it coming across as OC chiding or preaching. In my case, it’s a lot of glaring at people if I suspect they’re telling lies or loudly proclaiming my hatred of the colour black. It’s about embodying the nation and leading by example. There’s a clear line between interpreting the brief in an unusual fashion and simply ignoring it. Guess which one we don’t like.<br /> <br /> So, that’s pretty much it, though I’m sure I’ve left out something crucial. We’re fundamentally here to help (to sound cliche) and the drama, meddling, advice and tears is just a free, exciting bonus.<br /> <br /> ==Six Step Process==<br /> * ''Post Autumn Equinox 2018, a discussion of how '''David Sheridan''' handles the prep and running of plots at Empire''.<br /> [[#Running Plot at Empire|Dave]] and [[#What I do on my holidays|Ian]] have set a good tone here. I'm going to talk about the process of writing plot between events, because that's where the REAL magic happens.<br /> <br /> (The set design team are going to thrash me with DMX cables for that, but it's worth it).<br /> <br /> '''Step 1''' is to debrief the event that just happened. After we've all had a week to calm down, tidy up and get back to civilisation, I Skype Management and we talk about what went down. Stuff like &quot;the Marchers loved that CSI tent encounter we gave them,&quot; or &quot;the Urizeni didn't really engage with the NPC going to challenge them to an egg-and-spoon race,&quot; or &quot;the skirmish where they talked the Druj onto their side against the Thule was a bit of a turn-up.&quot;<br /> <br /> We work out what's coming next as a result of player action, and trust me, this shit gets WILD. I am paraphrasing when I say that easily two debriefs an event go something like: &quot;The NPC didn't meet the people she was meant to meet, but did bump into their rivals/made a public announcement/sold the item to someone else, and long story short, I think that's just derailed one of the Conclave Orders/drawn an Eternal's attention/altered the course of a war-front/got [x] blamed for [y].&quot;<br /> <br /> We also bat around ideas for next steps for ongoing stuff. If you've met the same NPC three events running and built a working relationship with them, then chances are you're going to get something next event which builds on that storyline. Maybe they're in trouble and ask you to help; maybe they have an opportunity for you; maybe they want you to commit to them over a rival you're also friends with.<br /> <br /> And we have the sad duty of packing off those plots nobody wants to play with. They get sent to a nice farm upstate, where there's lots of space to run around.<br /> <br /> At the end of that meeting, I actually take pins and stick them into an actual four-foot-wide map of the Empire hanging on my dining-room wall. Yes, I'm that sad. Worse: the pins are colour-coded to show how developed the plot is. These ones start out blue for &quot;Approved in Principle&quot;, and by the event they'd damn well better be green.<br /> <br /> '''Step 2''' is &quot;have ideas&quot;. As any writer can tell you, this is the easy part.<br /> <br /> Seriously, though, I read all the Senate Motions, Synod Judgements, Conclave Declarations, Winged Messengers, Plenipotentiaries, and the updates to ongoing WoFs that people make in the week after the event. And I jot down anything that strikes me as curious. Why DID the Senate agree to fund a trip to the Moon? Why did someone put a motion saying &quot;Rabbits are Good&quot; before Conclave, and why did they vote it down? Why did someone put forward a Statement of Principle saying that &quot;Rabbits are Bad&quot; before [x] National Assembly, and even though it got voted down, why was it so close?<br /> <br /> (And why is everyone so obsessed with rabbits, anyway? Who's running all the Rabbit Plot? And if nobody else is, can I? I like Rabbit.)<br /> <br /> I also try to come up with some stuff out of whole cloth, taking ideas from sinecure and ministry descriptions, fluff-text off the wiki, and by less creative methods like saying, &quot;Nobody's put Dawn and the Freeborn in conflict recently; what do they each value that we can make them fight over?&quot;<br /> <br /> As these ideas are coming, collaboration is key. We have a number of backstage Facebook groups where I might post &quot;Is anyone running anything with the Faraden/the Hercynia Vallorn/the Shattered Tower?&quot; or &quot;Hey makey-people, how would you make an NPC crew-member into a gryphon?&quot; People reply with ideas and budgets, and I adjust my ideas and expectations accordingly. Usually upwards: I'm constantly being surprised by the talent and open-handedness of our makey-people.<br /> <br /> In addition to ongoing plots, I try to come up with ten suggestions for either entirely new plotlines or engaging the levers that PCs have pulled. I've found this leads to about 14-15 things to run in an event, which, along with other duties I have at events, is about the right amount for my blood pressure.<br /> <br /> These get white drawing-pins, for &quot;Not Approved Yet&quot;.<br /> <br /> A digression: my plots often aren't the big things you'll have heard of from the WoF. I'm known as a &quot;bijou&quot; plot-writer: my stuff is usually meant to only directly influence a small number of people, but in such a way as that influence can ripple out into the world. I love reifying the fantastic elements of the setting, making them more relatable by portraying human reactions to the inhuman: ghosts and curses, immortal sorceror-dragons and cruel Sovereigns, Eternals and Sydanjaa.<br /> <br /> The upside to this is that these plots can be great game. If they touch the right character, they can change the course of a nation, or become the next accepted truth about a historical matter. The downside is that they aren't DESIGNED to do this, and in a game that's centred around various kinds of macro-scale politics, this can mean their signal gets lost in noise.<br /> <br /> Honestly, I don't mind that. Because half the time, what this means is that in two years' time, someone is able to say, with passionate conviction, &quot;No. I went there, I dealt with the consequences of [x] myself, and I won't let it happen again!&quot; - it's always, always more effective if it's coming from the mouth of someone who went out through the Sentinel Gate to do [x] rather than who simply took an option to roleplay about having done it in downtime. And what REALLY makes my game is when that's someone you'd never have expected to get involved: someone with no title, no former political prominence, no rich friends, who's become a crusader off the back of that short, intense experience. There's a reason we all go to a field rather than playing by email, and this is it.<br /> <br /> '''Step 3''' is to call up Management again and put these ideas to them. This is Plot Approval, and it's a collaborative process, where the results of that collaboration can be anything from a simple &quot;Yeah, great idea, talk to [x],&quot; through &quot;Let's talk about the fine details for two hours.&quot; Other options include: &quot;That's such a good idea that another writer did it two years ago,&quot; or &quot;That goes against a recent Synod Judgement that just got a GM,&quot; or even, &quot;No, that's dumb.&quot;<br /> <br /> It takes 2-3 hours to go through maybe half of those plots, so it takes a couple of those meetings over a couple of nights.<br /> <br /> After this point, anything given the go-ahead gets changed to blue, and the race is on.<br /> <br /> '''Step 4''' is to frantically write everything. The Plot Wiki is very forgiving: accessible from anywhere, and if you leave it logged in overnight, editing a page, it won't have forgotten your unfinished edits the next morning.<br /> <br /> This involves a LOT of wiki-reading. I design characters to reference the game's Archetypes, because NPCs should reinforce setting in their very bearing. I try to make sure my NPCs never fail to have the answer to an important question, and that they don't have to improvise things like names or dates.<br /> <br /> Checking who to target the plot hooks at often involves a database search: &quot;Navarri Vates with Night Magic&quot;, or &quot;Characters in Astolat with Military Units&quot;, that sort of thing. If a plot involves a crop-blight in Highguard, you can bet that Highborn Farm-Owners are getting an OOC pack-briefing to clue them in before angry farmer NPCs turn up at Anvil.<br /> <br /> After the research, I usually take a couple of hours per plot getting everything down on paper, and then the fun bit begins.<br /> <br /> (Each pin goes to yellow once the bulk of it is done).<br /> <br /> '''Step 5''' is all the admin needed to make the plot run. This is where I need to work with the silent-silent partner, the PeeDee PLOT MATRON. I will tell her what costume, make-up, SFX and set design, NPCs and ribbons I need; I will use her to book Conjunctions and set their size, duration, locations and Accessibility options; I will give her the NPCs' briefs to remember for me. I create new ribbons, curses and divination results, and briefs for egregores and magistrates where relevant. I shuffle things around so I'm not briefing three things at dinner-time. And finally, I talk to human beings again.<br /> <br /> I put out juicy NPC briefs for pre-event casting in a dedicated NPC-crew FB group. I talk to Beth Charlton about who's attending and their skillsets, experience and enthusiasm, asking for recommendations. I talk to Plot Production to get stuff made. I talk to Tom Hancocks about running things with the Skirmish teams and, sometimes, about borrowing members of Skirmish Crew for field plot. I VERY rarely talk to ACTUAL PLAYERS (usually former crew-members, giving them the chance to take a new plot onto the field with a retired NPC, but also sometimes when I know someone on the field has a rare skill or talent that's impossible to improvise).<br /> <br /> I also usually put some hours into making something for the event. I love making paper props and similarly-designed things - maps, illuminated manuscripts, artworks, cryptic encoded heresies, letters hinting at details of history or politics, journals, architectural plans, all sorts. Here, as at every stage, collaboration is useful.<br /> <br /> I prepare, and prepare, and prepare. It takes far longer than I hope it will. But it's worth it to be prepared on the day.<br /> <br /> (And the pins turn green!)<br /> <br /> '''Step 6'''. On the day.<br /> <br /> I'm prepared. I'm timetabled, I've got stuff pre-assigned to encounters and the heart-meltingly wonderful Blue Caps to put my ribbons, coin and resources in little named envelopes for me. I've got NPCs who know when they need to find me, or whether their timing is flexible. I've got my meal tickets. And PLOT MATRON can take very much of the weight all by herself.<br /> <br /> By now, most of my work is done. All the thought, obsessively reading the wiki for details and checking names and dates, all the writing, most of the briefing: that shit's already happened. I need to stay on the ball for the weekend, but... most of my work is done. All I've got to do now, basically, is to explain my brilliant ideas to people and froth with them when they come back from the Anvil field.<br /> <br /> By the time I hit the field, 95% of my job is done. And I love it that way.<br /> <br /> ==What I do on my holidays==<br /> * ''Following Autumn Equinox 2018, '''Ian Horne''' talks about his role at events with particular emphasis on tent encounters<br /> So my work starts about a week after the previous event. I dig myself out of the froth caves in which I was impersonating some kind of Russian troll, call up the editors (with a summoning circle) and provide elevator pitches for my next event’s stories along with at-this-stage vague ideas for the shape of the three encounter tents. They demolish my ideas and together we put the pieces back together stronger. My notes from this are full of CAPITAL LETTERS and CRYPTIC DRIVEL: over the next week I shovel these into google docs outlining what my plots will be.<br /> <br /> Meanwhile, two things happen: first, the ''SWIVEL EYED SYNOD JUDGEMENTS'', which I produce as a resource to roll my own face in, and second the Past Life Visions (PLVs) are assigned.<br /> <br /> I don’t write them: I underwrite them. It is not permissible for us to miss one, and I’ve volunteered to backstop that - it is my responsibility to make sure that SOMEONE writes, designs, casts and otherwise actuates your Vision. The worry that those ''someone''s will all be me in a succession of increasingly bad hats is a great motivating factor to get people writing.<br /> <br /> Anyway, once I know what the visions are and if any Eternals are using tents, and in discussion with the tent leads and SFX designers, we set up what the encounter tents will look like. We ask for plot from the other writers too, because threeish visions and sixish Eternals do not fill three tents for an event. Typically I will also write mini adventures to go in some gaps if I spot them early enough, because I am disgustingly proud of our sets and want as many players to see them as possible.<br /> <br /> You must understand I have the visual art sensibilities of a housebrick - I do not design what you see! But plot writers semi-regularly come to us with a lovingly detailed masterwork of drama, and excitedly I ask them where it happens, and they say ‘Um. A fairly spartan tent, near Anvil. It needs a chair in it. And a table, if you can stretch to that?’<br /> <br /> And if I pass that straight to the tent leads, our encounter will be set in a featureless pitch black tent with a chair containing the bludgeoned and insensible form of a plot writer slumped on a lovingly detailed table. So, armed with someone else’s artistic faculty, I engage with the writer to try and locate a part of the world the encounter could reasonably be in. Ideally, of course, it is suspiciously like the one that is already scheduled for 11.30am that day, halfway between that and (say) the 3pm one - and we iterate on that until the mental image of the set is beautiful, and once that’s locked in I pass it to the excellent people who make sure we will have all the objects onsite with which to do the things.<br /> <br /> It’s particularly bad with Visions. The conceit of uptime is that everything happens at Anvil - so visions of being a mover and shaker often get set at Anvil in their first draft. And frankly, that’s a waste. The tents are one way we bring the world to life… the players are already working hard bringing Anvil to life, and can throw more effort and resources at it than ever we can. Meanwhile we spend a lot of time and effort not being a tent and not being near Anvil. If all else fails, thanes have halls and stridings have taprooms and I have before resorted to a Highborn Travelodge…<br /> <br /> Anyway, about three (ahahahahaha) weeks before the event I know what the tents will be and possibly even what’s happening in them. A week after that I start making increasingly insistent noises at people I’ve frothed with who don’t have plot for me yet. As the Winds of War and Fortune issue from Raff’s blazing keyboard I am metaphorically backstage creating an order for ducks to be arranged in. At some point the editors make time in their overstuffed schedules to do a quality control pass on my plot. I write up briefs, send them to NPCs, rummage through eBay’s sock drawer and the local garden centres for props. And then we go to site, and my work is largely done and now I can have fun.<br /> <br /> Because it is fun. We’re volunteers, we’re on holiday too - I try to ensure that whatever else, my stuff is at least as much fun for players as crew. Most of my briefs will include the line ‘come back if you stop having fun’ or ‘milk it as long as it continues to be funny’ or words to that effect. Our NPCs are great at improvisation and tend to enjoy it, especially when we remember to let them know exactly how far to take it. One of the main areas where I think that experience helps with plot writing is in intuiting the difference between a brief that will give your NPCs a no good very bad time (“this encounter takes place in the aftermath of a battle, full of corpses”) and one that really sings (“wait, does that read corpses? I meant ‘Terminal’. You recall the Terminal rules? I want a wall of noise. Oh, and *you*, *you* and *you* are Imperial and the rest are barbarians.”).<br /> <br /> The sets in our encounter tents are amazing, and I can say that because I am at best a stevedore for them. The tent leads and SFX crew are actual wizards. I say ‘it would be nice if there was some rubbish in this one’, and the next time I walk past I hear a discussion on what the mediaeval equivalent of a discarded rotting sofa is and can we fake one. I say ‘volcano forge’, and the next time I look the corner of the tent has what I can only call a geode with what looks decidedly like a river of quicksilver. We decided that one tent would be the inside of an organ and … you had to be there. Pictures don’t do it justice.<br /> <br /> What am I doing while the team are doing this? Ideally, if it is all going perfectly, not much. I check in with the NPCs that they are on their way, with the plot writer that nothing is on fire (except for that which is supposed to be on fire) and with the tent leads and SFX people that we will have a set - then pitch in wherever someone needs something. And if the metaphorical wheels look like they are coming off, or going wobbly, I go find the duct tape as early as possible. I have been two people in some Visions - I’m getting quite good at quick changes, and I love chewing scenery.<br /> <br /> Other than that? I play the odd NPC - he’s really quite odd - and brief the odd plot - and wasn’t it just - and then when the tent plot is all spring-loaded, the ducks are in obedient rows and the evening’s last sets are shipshape, I get onto the field as one of those characters you get in CRPGs who regurgitate basic setting info if you click on them. Because I love Anvil by night and I like to experience it if I can. (If you see an unfeasibly tall man in a stupid red hat, it’s me, and I love regurgitating basic setting info in an IC voice.)<br /> <br /> Last event was uphill. Two of our three tent leads were out with OOC issues. But thanks to excellent work by excellent people we won through, and we had fun doing it. The mission statement could be, in a word, aspiration - year on year, we will outdo ourselves. That is our aim: that is our target. I look forward to giving it my best shot.<br /> {{CaptionedImage|file=Kibblewhite.jpg|align=right|width=300|caption=David Kibblewhite|title=The man we call Cool Jim}}<br /> ==Running Plot at Empire==<br /> * ''Writing after the Autumn Equinox event 2018, '''Dave Kibblewhite''' talks about what his event entails as a plot writer and egregore.<br /> Got there on the Thursday, needing to replace shock cord in a tent pole before I could put it up. Nearly gave up and then realised that my tent does in fact contain two poles that are identical once assembled but made up of slightly different components. Very confusing. Once I had pitched the tent in order to make sure the award-winning Clare Evans had somewhere to comfortably sleep, my primary role at PD was out of the way and I could get on with other stuff.<br /> <br /> We had some food from Obanzai and it was so amazing that I resolved to eat all my non-breakfast meals there for the weekend, which I did with no regrets. We did our new player social, which a few people showed up to. When it got chilly I went and put thermals on under my clothes. This made a big difference and I basically did that for the rest of the weekend. Definitely a top self-care tip. We hung out with the orcs a bit, I failed to locate Alexis Celnik and eventually gave up on the tavern because I wasn't really feeling it and went to bed.<br /> <br /> On Friday I spent the morning checking in with makeup, costume, set dressing etc in an attempt to minimise the amount of surprises I'd drop on them later, then got my camping furniture over to the Varushka camp ready for the IC tent once it was up. We had the first new player meeting at 2 and I dished out some briefs to egregores. Sadly I had to dash off before the end as it started raining and I was conscious my stuff was in a pile in the Varushka camp. Consequently I missed chatting to new Varushka players at that point.<br /> <br /> At that point the tent was up, so I stood staring at a pile of fabric while my brain switched off and played cartoons in my head for a while before getting Emmanuel Goldstein and Simon Manby to give me a hand set dressing it . Then I located a bag full of random pieces of wood and arranged someone to drill holes in them because that's what my life is like.<br /> <br /> By that time I was into my window for getting my costume on and weapons checked before getting over to the hall of worlds for the intro to magic session I do with Martyn Sullivan and Emmanuel Goldstein. Attendance was not great so we obviously need better PR, but if the players who did show up go into time-in confident to jump into the magic game rather than standing on the sidelines then I still say it's worth it.<br /> <br /> Then I got over to Varushka almost for time in, greeted the new people at the hearth, did a bit of chatting, then went to support the IC weapons training. By the time that was done it was basically time for me to get back and brief Taz Magpye's storyteller who had stepped in to replace an absent and crew member and hadn't therefore had time to absorb what was quite a complex brief. Left the IC stuff to the infinitely capable Si Childs.<br /> <br /> It was then approaching time for my first tent quest of the weekend, so I checked in on the set build, made sure it was looking as I wanted, and I knew how to make my sounds play with Ian Horne Cattes and Jess (can't tag). Made sure my NPC was briefed, happy and looking good. Got players and chucked them in. Good atmospheric encounter with some imperial orcs where they tried to do some riddles and stuff while I freaked them out by occasionally blaring a DRAMATIC sounding Autumn Bailey through the PA. They took the item they were meant to take, appeared very engaged with the story and I sent them away smiling, so that was great.<br /> <br /> Came back to find the storyteller npc a bit panicky and needing clarification on some bits of the brief, which I think we resolved and got her happy and back out. Chilled out backstage for a bit, then went out IC for a while, where I didn't do much except be a wallflower at the empress/wise one pre-marital questioning. Went to bed at time out.<br /> <br /> Saturday was my big plot day. First I got the ribbons for Taz Magpye's random bits of wood plot attached and distributed, mostly at the morning, pre time-in player support meeting. This plot was super successful at getting people engaged and required very little effort to run out from plot (although a bunch from field refs though I guess).<br /> <br /> I had set the morning aside to battle, but I didn't trust my ankle if I had to run so instead I painted myself silver and went to play an Autumn realm jeweler for Wrenna Robson. Enjoyed doing some trades for very specific denominations of coinage. Did horribly disappoint one player through my first-come first-served policy, but being beaten to the deal is the nature of the Autumn realm I guess. Never quite got the silver paint all off all weekend.<br /> <br /> At that point I checked in with the NPCs for my three Anvil based encounters (these people had already been sent their briefs before the event) to answer any questions. I collected and attached ribbons to the weapon physreps I'd brought as one of them was a peddler for the Varushkan market. Also found an orb physrep and a way to ribbon that (hot glue gun). Threw all this in a bag I got from the prop boxes along with something another plot writer added to the encounter and made sure the NPC knew where it was since I wouldn't be there when she went out. Lastly, made sure the 70 beautiful potion physreps Beck Hemsley made for my potion trader were available for that npc. These were new potion types that Matt and Andy were yet to sort lammies for although I'd been assured they would be ready in time. I poked my head into their office, noted a post-it in front of Andy's desk reading &quot;Dave drugs&quot; and declined to bother them further.<br /> <br /> Checked in on the &quot;inside of giant monster&quot; set (thank you Mark Nichols, Heather M Clayton etc, then went to the orc camp where I had been asked to support what was already a very cool scene starring Steph Morris and Mike Kilburn. Matt Couldridge came with me to set off some smoke while the players threw a lot of expensive hallucinogens around, then I played the 3.5 minutes or so of audio I'd mixed. I think a lot of people were actually pretty blown away by Matt Notcutt's ominous intro, Emma Rowden's supervillain monologue and the minute or so of visceral stabbing sounds. Then I chased an orc around with a speaker shouting at him in Autumn Bailey's voice some more and told them when their quest was.<br /> <br /> Then I pegged it back to the encounter tents to make sure the set was ready to go, grabbed a surgical kit with actual sharp things, and got the players for my &quot;autopsy from the inside&quot; quest. Players proceeded to destroy the set and props, I told them some hopefully interesting stuff and sent them on their way. They got extremely sticky and the encounter involved a lot of &quot;EEEWWWW THIS IS VILE!&quot;. Conjunction caused some confusion because I'd moved it to accommodate the aforementioned player-organised scene and not informed the refs in case they needed to rely on paper timetables, so that was my bad.<br /> <br /> Went out with the skirmish crew then to do the imperial orc ancestor pilgrimage (whole nation encounter in the woods). Skirmish knocked it out of the park in the end, but I learned some important stuff about how to split up a complex brief for a large group. In addition I think the orcs might be able to take a bit more railroading and stage management than a lot of our players, and it was clear to everyone involved that the whole thing would have been better in the dark. That said, it all went pretty well.<br /> <br /> Sat down for food then set to work getting the Varushkan &quot;make evil bargain with creature whilst inside other creature&quot; quest ready. Taz Magpye showed up to help and the whole thing went very smoothly. Got the players and brought them down. Sadly a player had some health issues just before getting to the encounter so we sat down for a while while I looked after them and cheered them up then walked them back to their friends. Got back to the end of the encounter to find they'd used some headology and bypassed a lot of dilemmas by simply hacking off the hostage's arm at the shoulder and dragging them back through the sentinel gate spraying arterial blood around, so I think we're proud of our players for that one.<br /> <br /> Then spent a while getting ready for the past life vision I'd written. Never done one of these before so it was a lot of pressure, plus I'd opted to do it outside, have multiple scenes, and NPC it from the skirmish team plus the rogue element Matthew Pennington, none of which is normal for these encounters. I feel I may not have done the PLV team's heart rate any good, but everyone involved came together to make what I think was a really powerful scene that I hope the player will remember for a long time.<br /> <br /> That done, I rushed off to the Wintermark camp with my NPCs and pyro person to do Kallavesi vision time, which on this occasion was two NPCs miming in a tent full of very thick smoke with me as an IC narrator. It was lovely to hear Harry Morris in her element encouraging the players to take it seriously, and I've realised I can now recognise the sound of forty potion lammies being ripped simultaneously (it sounds like player engagement).<br /> <br /> Got back to monster, got some paperwork associated with the PLV sorted, then went to chill out IC and heard some lovely singing. Thought about going straight to bed but instead stayed up with the cool kids in monster. This was an incredibly good decision because not only did I have a good laugh, but I met someone who is going to provide tremendous technical help with Fairyland next year.<br /> <br /> On Sunday I actually just played my egregore character, including accompanying Si Childs while we tried to by him a goat (thank you for playing, Felix's Watch). Then spotted an important plot point which had been missed, and resolved it by quickly getting a ribbon sorted and dressing the closest person, Erin Catherine Marsh, as a zombie. After time out the rest of the day/night was remarkable only because I actually spent time with Clare, and that a number of us spent quite some time being relentlessly cruel to David Henderson, who is utterly deserving of the treatment he got.<br /> <br /> A busy event, but super rewarding. Really feel like I have learned a lot this year. Which is good, because Clare and I are running our first event next year and in many ways it is a bit ambitious.</div>

Spoondog