Plot crew

Overview

Plot is the biggest department in Empire, as it incorporates all our NPCs, our plot writers and runners as well as characters like the nation bards, egregores, civil servants and magistrates and back room operations crew who work in costume and make-up. We need lots of people to help us fill out all these roles, so if you're interested in getting involved in the IC side of Empire then we're keen to talk to you.

People sometimes assume that the plot crew is a good way for a brand new player to try Empire, but the truth is that everyone who works in the plot department is expected to have a good familiarity with the campaign setting. They need to know much more about the game than an average player and some basic experience with live roleplaying is usually valuable. Ultimately though the most important thing is enthusiasm so the plot crew welcome anyone who is keen to try out crewing.

Why Get Involved?

Being part of the right team on the plot crew can give you the opportunity to do the parts of LRP you like most. If you really enjoy fighting, then the skirmish team is perfect for you, if you like to play lots of different roles then the plot NPC team will suit you best. If you enjoy writing or running plot, making props or costume, or creating prosthetics of applying make-up then the plot crew includes specialized teams who do just that.

As one of the plot crew you'll be part of a great team that helps to create the event, but if you're playing an NPC then you also have a chance to roleplay and interact with the other characters in the game. Or as part of the back-room staff who run the monster tent and keep everything going you'll get a chance to be part of the plot being put together and sent out. If you enjoy creating plot, then writing for Empire gives you a chance to do work with some incredibly talented people and create plot on an epic scale.

Being part of the plot crew is pretty non-stop throughout the event. We'll try to give you a few hours off each event, so you can relax and socialize with friends, but it's not something you can easily combine with playing. It is hard work and you'll be challenged to constantly push yourself to try new things, but it's a fantastic team to be part of and a lot of fun.

Teams

There are many different teams in the plot crew, all of whom operate out of the monster tent - a massive tent full of people, costume and kit. It's a great environment to work in, there is always something going on as crew get briefed, dressed and made-up for their next part. At the end of the event all the plot crew come together to get the tent cleared quickly under guidance from the costume and props team.

Plot Team

The plot writers create the plot lines that help make Empire such an exciting game to play. Writers at Empire are encouraged to brief and run their own plot, though we are on hand to help at every stage. Running plot includes briefing and debriefing NPCs and helping to get encounters ready by liaising with costume and make-up. Some plot writers choose to play plot NPC roles or perform other responsibilities during the weekend when they are not briefing their plot.

Being an Empire plot writer is a great role if you enjoy creating plot and enjoy seeing players enjoy the game you have helped create. A little experience in writing is always useful, but is not essential. What is often more important is to have some experience playing a large fest LRP game, so that you understand and enjoy the kind of political game that we run. If you have ever wanted to create plot for a big game with over fifteen hundred players, this is your chance!

The plot writing team is run by Andy Rafferty. Andy has decades of plot writing experience, creating plot for fest systems like Maelstrom, Odyssey, and Empire. As the lead writer for the Empire setting he knows the campaign better than anyone and works closely with the writers to help them create plot that will bring that setting to life.

Plot NPC Team

Our plot NPC team play the roles that have been created and written by the plot writers that happen on the field and in the Hall of Worlds. Members of the team portray minor Imperial NPCs, eternals and their heralds and representatives of other foreign powers. It is a great role for anyone who enjoys working with writers to create enjoyable plot for players.

The team is run by Katie Rogers who also handles all requests to join the plot crew, talking to people to make sure they know what is involved. Katie works with the NPCs to try and ensure that they get a chance to play the kind of roles that they enjoy.

Skirmish

Our skirmish team are the dedicated crew whose responsibility is to bring to life the battles, skirmishes and quests that the players choose to fight. There is a great team spirit amongst those who enjoy being part of what is effectively our monster faction. We aim to run all our fights using IC leadership and commands, so there are a range of roles for people. The team is run by Andy Connell and Thomas Hancocks.

The skirmish team is a great role for anyone who enjoys fighting and roleplaying a warrior or similar character on a battlefield.

Field NPC Team

We have a number of crew who play a single recurring role based in Anvil throughout the weekend. These roles are highly specialized with a clear focus on providing support and assistance to the game and the players. The civil service support the main political structures of the Empire, providing logistical support to the players to run the Empire. The magistrates operate the Empire's legal system directing the player militia as they follow up crimes that have taken place. Our egregores are based in the nations themselves with a remit to support the feel of the nation and encourage the roleplaying in the camp, while the bards in the Three Refrains are more likely to wander the Imperial camps looking to bring music and aid to the people of the Empire.

Costume and Props

The costume and props team is essential to dress NPCs and get them ready for encounters. The team use their knowledge of the PD costume and props inventory to dress NPCs for roles they are about to play, including the player volunteers for the battles. They also help them to change after an encounter and ensure used kit is put away. At the end of the event they help oversee packing away the plot room away and separate any kit that needs cleaning or repairing. The costume and props team also work before the events helping to plan and arrange new kit creation and purchase in preparation for upcoming plots.

Being a member of the team requires some skill with costume and props, since you need to be able to use the existing inventory to create an effective look for a character. It's a good role for people who enjoy working with kit, managing the existing wardrobe and acquire new kit. The costume side of the team is run by Lizzie Upton, with the props managed by Rachel Durrant.

Make-up

The makeup team 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 makeup team plan complex make-up arrangements in advance so that convincing effects can be created quickly in the field. They also help player volunteers don and remove make-up before and after battles. The make-up team work before the events helping to plan and arrange new make-up and prosthetic purchase in preparation for upcoming plots.

Anyone can help with make-up, since some make-up requires only a basic colour application. More complex make-up arrangements require some skill and experience. An air-brush is available for make-up crew who know how to use it. It's a good role for people who enjoy working with make-up or prosthetics and who want to help PD produce some fantastic creatures. The make-up team is run by Agnes Eklund.

Time-off

Plot crew are generally busy throughout the event, so it is not a role that you can combine with playing the game. 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.