If you are new to FR, please give what follows a proper read, as it tries to get to grips with some of the many things you might want to know about the game. If you have any questions, you can always mail us direct on justin@frailrealities.com.

So what's this all about then?

Broadly, FR is a professional LRP project, started in October 2004 by guys who have oodles of LRP and gaming experience (perhaps 35 years between us, a lot of it professional) . It has a unique setting and a set of rules that are something of an LRP paradigm shift. The game is a major project, going to be around for years  -it has been a major undertaking  - and is very much out of the ordinary LRP run of things.

Well, that all sounded very pretentious and over inflated, what did it all mean?

We run really good games that are not really like the things you may have played and so might take a little getting used to.

So how are things different?

The background and setting, for one thing  - superficially, it might seem similar to some things you have seen before  -vaguely Steampunk, vaguely 'Sharpe with magic', but in fact it is pretty damn weird and off the wall  -and gets odder as you get into it.

So, just the background is different?

No, the rules are, too. LRP tends to split into two categories  -those with loads of rules, that (because you need loads of rules to allow for it) have lots of character progression and different things you can play, and those with minimal rules tend to have very little character progression. Trouble is, that complex rules means lots of time spent worrying about them rather than just playing the damn game, which is what we all want to do  -we want to roleplay, talk to people, fight people, puzzle over clues, chat with our (IC) friends and so forth, not argue about rules minutiae.

We have managed to come up with a set of rules that allows many, many different character possibilities and a lot of character development, but which people that are crap at remembering rules easily get to grip with within an hour or so. You really have to try it to see how well it works. Of course, there is other stuff to learn  -but the game has a very shallow learning curve. The hardest part to start with can be working out a character to play  -but there is loads of help available on our mailing list or from the refs.

So what else is different?

Well, there are a lot of different touches that make the game unique, but there are three things which help define the way we play LRP.

We are full 'time in', with no time out from the beginning to the end of the event (though we have 'sleep scenes' so us tired old gamers can go to bed without fear of being killed in the night). We don't drop out of character at all (well, unless to ask refs questions or things). The idea is that, if we filmed FR it would look like a movie, not a game.

We have pretty strict rules on how people fight, use powers and so forth in order to make things flow in a 'cinematic' style.

We have a downer on people who's idea of a good time involves making other people miserable   - we have a 'be nice' OOC code of conduct that extends into a generally civilised and co-operative IC player group.

So is this is fest game or a linear?

Neither. We call ourselves 'plotted'. Fest games are good because they allow for lots of freedom of action and linears are good because there is a lot going on  -we strongly plot our events, most action is player versus crew (not player versus player) and there is a lot going on  - but you are not 'straightjakceted' into one course of action.

Low hit or high hit?

Neither; kind of in between. We are at a 'Die Hard' level  -not realistic, but not totally high fantasy hit fifty times in the head ridiculous.

Where do you run?

It has been mostly in the South East, but we are starting to run events in the Midlands  -check the event diary, but we plan an event in Coventry for October 2005.

How much?

Most of our events run from Saturday to Sunday overnight, with indoor accommodation, self catered and are roughly 90 quid, depending on the cost of the site. We offer twenty quid off to new players and also run regular new player events at around the 65 quid mark (so 45 for newbies) so you can try it out at a low cost and see if it is worth the money. Prices vary depending on event length, site cost and how early you pay.

How Often?

We run once or twice a month for 10-20 players.

So how do I get involved?

Best bet is to join our mailing list by clicking on this link: FrailRealities-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. That will get you sent rules (they are in the files section too). Coming along to crew (what we call NPCing/monstering) is free and we feed you  - but you need to let us know if you are coming, but it is a good way of getting the lay of the land and seeing if the game is for you.

You should also read our disclaimer, which everyone who plays has to sign  -nothing in it should come as a shock to any larper.

So, hope to see you at an event sometime  - anything you need to know, mail us at the address above or mail the list directly.

Crewing FR is a good way of seeing if you like it.

Justin and Chris.

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