HOw does one get started in one of these games? i have not played before and am keen to find out more… I want to join a game but not sure how to.
wow, what an awesome question.
i can give you two replies.
how i got started: my brother told me about ‘Mordavia’ but i was too young to go (13?), i only really wanted to do it because i wasn’t allowed, eventually i went, buying a costume that looked medieval-ish from a second hand store. i discovered i loved improv and i thought i was good at it even if i was scared. i joined online forums that had text-based RPGs and i used to make really complex and deep characters. I continued this way for four years until i discovered that being ‘crew’ or ‘npc’ can be fun too, and did that for about two years, which taught me to be super resourceful with props and costumes. anything can be turned into a scarf or dress if you try hard enough. the whole time i never bothered much with the rules (or magic rules which just baffled me) so i used to just accept what other players said. ive also never had an intrest in combat, people swinging swords to close to me is scary. ive made friendships that have lasted years. i love larp.
how i would recommend others get started:
-join the nzlarps facebook page and make some friends in the community who larp, we love newbies
-watch the film ‘role models’ for the funny LARP bit, its not accurate but its cute
-have a look at the ‘hosted’ boards on diatribe, these are the games, see what themes you like
-have a flick through their rules books and think about if you want to play a character or a npc/crew
-think of all the amazing characters you could be
-just holla if you need costume help, we are a super supportive community
-check the calender on diatribe for upcoming games
-when you go to one, ask one of your facebook larp friends if the are going and if they will crew or be a character with you
-not sweat it if you forget rules or make a mistake, nobody really minds.
-if someone is staunch or rude about something when you ask for help, just bow out and say ‘yup ok’, they are probably looking for drama, it will be noted by the cool kids, and we will keep you in the cool circle. =p
Its best if you jump in feet-first, so keep an eye on the calendar and forums here until you see a game you like, and sign up for it. If you need gear or costume, ask - people are usually willing to loan stuff, and NZLARPS has a gear pool which might have what you need.
Thanks Zanni, great reply. 
will join check out the face book page.
You just took the best first step, by posting here 
Here’s a thread detailing what’s coming up on the calendar
http://www.diatribe.co.nz/viewtopic.php?f=73&t=7716&p=95950#p95950
Another thing that Anna taught me at Chimera 2011 that really helped me this year is this. She said to me (and I wonder if you remember saying this to me Anna) “It’s funny how a lot of people think you have to be honest when you are in character, there’s actually no reason you can’t lie your head off” (paraphrased : because I can’t remember the exact words) but it really helped, in fact it helped so much i got the award for the “Biggest bald faced lie” in a Larp this year, which i’m quite proud of … Thanks Anna
Playing a larp is simple: just do what your character would do.
It’s all the stuff surrounding larp that complicates things a bit. Choosing a game to play. Learning about settings, rules, characters, etc. Getting gear together. Getting to know the players. Bringing the things you need to survive, like snacks and warm socks and such.
But nobody minds if you don’t get all that stuff right at first, so the thing to concentrate on is the larp itself. It’s well worth it, as larp can be amazingly freeing and exhilarating.
This site has a good introduction to larp concepts and terms: whatislarp.co.nz
You just took the best first step, by posting here [/quote]
So true. Come, play pretend with us!
Bring shoes. Comfortable shoes. After your first full weekend, you’ll know why.
And spare socks, and plasters for the inevitable blisters.
I started by going to Chimera 2012 (so I’m pretty new, yay!) which was pretty awesome because I got to be a player in several different genres and styles of LARP in a very short space of time, meant I could certainly say by the end of the weekend that I liked it! I spent the month or so beforehand just making pieces of costumes in my spare time and on weekends, managed to make some pretty cool stuff and then just went for it.
I would suggest- Go straight into it, crewing is fun too (crewed at TION a few weeks ago) but is a different experience to being a player. But I would probably start with a one-off game to see if you like it, way less effort and time than trying to make a character for an extended campaign, and you tend to be supplied with all of the backstory, character relationships etc that you need. Which is helpful when you are new to it