Live Action Roleplaying

165 Pages·2008·18.38 MB·English

Rules for
Live Action Roleplaying

Version 3.0 February 2008
KINGDOMS OF NOVITAS
RULES FOR LIVE ACTION ROLE PLAYING

©2004, 2005, 2006, 2008 by the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club.

Based on the Adventures in Mid-Land fantasy rules, ©1995, 1997, 1999, 2001, 2004. Used with permission.

All Original Artwork © Kingdoms of Novitas

The Kingdoms of Novitas “KN” logo and the circle of seven seven-pointed stars design is © Kingdoms of Novitas

All characters in this book are fictitious. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead is purely coincidental.

This information is protected under the copyright laws of the United States of America. Any reproduction or unauthorized use of the material or artwork
contained herein is prohibited without the express written permission of the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club, Inc.

This book contains information and rules needed to run live action role playing games of the variety run by Kingdoms of Novitas and the Mohawk Valley
Gaming Club. Groups not associated with Kingdoms of Novitas may still use these rules for their own purposes as long as they are not a professional
organization. The charging of admission or collection of membership monies for non-sanctioned games is prohibited. The use of the name “Kingdoms of
Novitas” for any group or event not sponsored by Kingdoms of Novitas or the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club, Inc. is also prohibited.

Visit our web sites at www.mvgc.net and www.KingdomsOfNovitas.org
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Disclaimers and Notices
Kingdoms of Novitas and the Mohawk Valley Gaming Club, Inc., nor its individual owners, partners, employees, or
members, assumes no responsibility nor liability for any injuries, physical, mental or emotional, received, or allegedly
received, due to the playing of the game, Kingdoms of Novitas LARP, or any variation thereof.

These rules are the result of over eighteen years of play testing by experts in live action role-playing, table top gaming,
historical re-enactment, and martial arts. The information in this book, especially in regards to safety, is not to be taken
lightly. Members of Kingdoms of Novitas are expected to follow the rules set down in this book. People intending to use
this book to run live action role-playing games outside of Kingdoms of Novitas are urged to carefully consider all changes
to the basic system before playing.

Credits & Blame

The Mohawk Valley Gaming Club partners are: Kevin Buckley, David Haldenwang, Steven Hunt, Craig Korycinski, Felix Mendez, and James Roth

Kingdoms of Novitas was founded by: David Haldenwang, Felix Mendez, James Roth, and Rosemary Siebold

Edited by: David Haldenwang and Drew Urbanek

Contributors to this text: Todd Burnop, David Haldenwang, Jeff Kwasniewski, Felix Mendez, David Morgan, James Roth, Drew Urbanek, Rich King,
and Rosemary Siebold

Artwork done by: Ann Aumick and Julie Bednar

Interior Photography by: Julie Bednar and Steve Marsh

Front and back cover by: Julie Bednar

Cartographers: Todd Burnop, Justin Capen and David Haldenwang

Original Adventures in Mid-Land rules written by: Tom Gleason IV, Keith Jurgens, Lance Kazmark, Ben Pierce and Charles Waterman

Special Thanks to: Steve Marsh, Daniel Meershaert, David Morgan, Todd Burnop, Justin Capen, Jordan Bellassai, Drew Urbanek, William Rexroat, Bob
Manning, Mike Nichols, Rick King, Tom Hall and Vanderkamp.
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Table of Contents

Introduction Page 7
1. Fundamentals 8
2. The Kingdoms of Novitas 13
World Map 13
Free Lands Map 18
3. Religions in Novitas 20
4. Races of Novitas 34
5. Character Creation & Skils 41
Skill Charts & Descriptions 48
Equipment 59
6. Magic & Spells 62
7. Roleplaying Skills 70
8. Production Skills 75
Alchemical Compounds 78
9. Weapons & Armor 85
Armor Values 96
10. Adventuring 99
1. Combat 19
12. Traps & Locks 125
13. Lot! 127
14. Other Jobs: NPCs & GMs 131
15. Crime & Punishment 136
Apendix A: Spel List 138
Appendix B: Alchemical Compound Descriptions 155
Glosary 162
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games lean heavily on imagination, players at Kingdoms
Introduction of Novitas look, act and dress the parts of their
characters, whether they are a simple human bard or a
howling Tribesman warrior.
Your blood surges, answering the yells of your While your character has skills written on a
tribesmen as you clash your axes together, adding your character sheet like many other fantasy role-playing
noise to the din of the others. Like a human wave, the games, those skills only serve to simulate fantastic
sunlight glinting from the crest of your raised weapons, abilities (such as
you charge forward to engage your enemies. As your axe This game is fantasy magic), or to provide
strikes home, you realize that this is what you were made The world and events of game balance (most of
for. this game take place in the the combat skills). The
In another part of the world, you lift your head Limikaeg inaactitonrs ,o f tthhee ppllaayyeerrss. basic rule of Kingdoms
from an ancient tome. Firelight reflects from your refer to each other by their of Novitas is that if it
glistening scales as your apprentices watch you begin character’s names, and this can be physically done,
your incantation. Your voice crescendos majestically, rulebook also adopts that and done safely, you
climaxing as you clap your hands together. There is a ucassinuga l“ yoaup”p troo amchea, n “oyfoteunr have to do it. Climbing,
burst of light, and your apprentices flinch reflexively. character.” In reality, you running, hiding – these
When they look back at you, you are sheathed in a are no more your character are all things there are
shimmering field of magic. “Observe,” you say, and than you are the king when no substitute for. While
walk unharmed directly into the room’s central firepit. tyhoeu wpolralyd , chueltsusr.e sL, ihkieswtoisrye, combat is fought with
“This, this, is the power of DRAGONS!” and religions of this world padded weapons called
Somewhere else, you mentally quell a small are imaginary. It’s all just a “boffers”, it is full
tremble in your hand as you slide through the forest. game for fun… speed, and very deadly
Your light touch on the thin ceramic of the eggshell you for characters. Don’t
hold steadies. You laugh to yourself silently, fangs worry though, it’s not
gleaming in the moonlight, as you ponder for a moment that hard, and with a little practice you too will be able to
the satisfaction your enemies would get from finding you hold your own against marauding ogres or shambling
dead of your own poison – but not tonight, you think. Up zombies moaning for brains.
ahead, you see the glow of your quarry’s campfire.
How do I start?
You’ve been watching them for an hour, so you know
that their sentries are not vigilant. Too bad for them, you A good source of information is our website, found at
think. Checking the load of your crossbow, you gather www.kingdomsofnovitas.org. Players should also
yourself, and then burst from the trees. One elf gets a familiarize themselves with the contents of this rulebook.
glimpse of your long white hair and pale face, and calls If you’re still a little unsure of your feelings about
out, “Snow Goblins!” He dies first as your crossbow LARP, attending your first game is cheap, and we
bolt, wet with virulent poison, slams into his chest. His encourage you to come check it out. While we know it’s
comrades scrabble frantically for weapons, but it is too not for everyone, most people quickly find themselves
late. You are a whirling dervish, poison death spraying hooked on the unmatched role-playing opportunities, the
from your hands. Your left hand flashes out even as your depth of the immersion and the suspension of disbelief
right moves to draw another weapon, and the ceramic they get. Welcome to your new world.
eggshell whips through the air to impact on another elf.
He starts to charge you, but suddenly falls over,
clutching his throat. The last elf steadies himself, the tips
of his two swords weaving through the air. Both your
hands become blurs as you hurl four daggers in quick
succession. The elf is good – he dodges three of them -
but the fourth one nicks his arm, drawing a thin line of
blood. He takes two steps toward you before he pitches
over onto his face. “Snow GOBLIN, thank you.”
Welcome to Kingdoms of Novitas live action
role-playing, a game where you and your own abilities
do as much to define you as your character sheet does.

What is live action role-playing?
Live action role-playing (LARP) is a fluid combination
of fantasy gaming, interactive theatre, real-time combat,
and medieval re-enactment. While some live action
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Other players who see a player marked out
1. Fundamentals of game should ignore him. If contact is initiated at a
distance, it is customary for an out of game player
challenged to respond simply, “I’m out of game.”
The Fundamentals section of these rules Sometimes, players who are out of game will tell
covers a few things everyone at a Kingdoms of other players, “I’m the wind, ignore me” or similar
Novitas event should know: what to do in unsafe nonsense. Once you have determined that a player is
situations, what to do when you hear people yell out of game, you should leave them alone. After all,
certain things, and other stuff that doesn’t fit they don’t exist.
anywhere else in the rules. Every player is expected Out of game areas marked with orange tape
to know and understand these things, and, as some of or flags should be completely avoided by players.
them are vital to the functioning of the game, The instant you see orange tape on an area, you
ignorance is no excuse. should turn around and leave. Don’t scout it out, and
Even if you have played at other LARPs don’t “camp” the area – that’s cheating. The area is
before, please take the time to familiarize yourself either hazardous, or is being prepared for something
with how we do things at Kingdoms of Novitas. by a Game Master. In either case, you shouldn’t be
there.
A word on sleeping players is also in order.
In game, Out of game
Players sleeping in in game areas are considered in
In game and out of game are two vital concepts that game, unless they have marked themselves or their
every player should understand. bunk clearly with orange. Some players do choose to
When a player is in game, he should be in remain in game for the entire weekend, adding to
character, wearing the full costume and garb of their adventure.
his character, and ready for anything. Players who Sleeping players marked with orange are
are in game are playing the game, and should react out of game, and they and all their gear, both in
accordingly – as their character would. Most game and out of game, should be left alone. If you
characters are assumed to be in game at all times. are sleeping out of game and you are awakened by in
If a player is in game, it also means that all game activity in your sleeping area, you are honor
of his in game items, such as money or treasure, are bound to remain out of game until the encounter has
also in game. It is strictly against the rules for a ended. Stay quietly in your bunk, try not to hear
player to be in game, while his hoard of potions, anything you shouldn’t, and don’t get involved. If
scrolls, money, and valuable items is safely stowed you wanted to be involved in such things, you should
out of game in his car, under his bunk, or other out of have stayed in game while you slept.
game place. Players found securing their treasure in
such a manner are cheating, and will likely lose all
their items if caught doing this. GAME HOLD!
Players can go out of game at any time, One of the first things you should know is what to do
except to gain advantage for their character – like if you think there is a dangerous, or potentially
in the middle of a fight or encounter. Players should dangerous, situation. This would cover things like
go out of game when they are going to the bathhouse, dropped glasses, broken bottles, nail-filled boards,
their vehicle, or leaving the game area for any reason. fighting very close to campfires, bears, injuries, etc.
Game Masters will frequently mark themselves or In the normal course of play, you should simply do
their NPCs or encounter areas out of game until they what you can to remove the hazard – pick up the
are ready for use. Out of game players should mark glasses, bury the broken bottle, move away from the
themselves with a fluorescent (hunter) orange vest, campfire, and so on. If the game is in full swing, i.e.
armband, or headband. Any object or area marked everyone’s fighting and yelling and running, you may
with hunter orange tape or flags is out of game. not have time to take that action. This is when you
When a player goes out of game, all of his in call a Game Hold.
game items on his person or in his tent or bunk go out To start a Game Hold, simply yell out, as
of game with him, whether or not they are attended. loud as you can, “GAME HOLD!” All players and
However, unattended in game items left out in the Game Masters hearing this should immediately
open are fair game, so if you go out of game to use STOP what they are doing and repeat the game hold
the bathroom, but leave your silver dagger on a table as loudly as they can.
in the middle of the game area, it’s likely to When you hear the call of GAME HOLD,
disappear. If in doubt, take it with you when you go all action stops. Players are free to talk quietly about
out of game. out-of-game stuff, or to assist with the situation at
hand as necessary. Otherwise, players should not
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move, adjust equipment, discuss in game plans, or
Time stop
other related things, as this is cheating.
When the situation has been dealt with, the Sometimes the Game Masters will need to position
person who called the Game Hold is responsible to something, impart information, or otherwise set the
end it. All players should be in the position they were scene for an encounter that’s already in full swing.
in when the hold was called, holding the same When this happens, the Game Master will frequently
equipment, and call “TIME STOP!”
Good Game Holds
with the same When a player hears a Time Stop called,

• You are injured intentions. The they should IMMEDIATELY stop what they are
• You see a dangerous person who called doing, take a knee, close their eyes, and begin
situation
the Game Hold, or making meaningless noise. The object of all this is
• Someone else is
a Game Master or to prevent you from seeing something you shouldn’t
injured and cannot call
the Game Hold other responsible yet see that would upset the plot or ruin the surprise
themselves player if that person for you.
• Dropped glasses. is gone, should Players in a Time Stop should not speak to
Although they should
count down loudly, each other, look around, or move. To do so is
be secured with a
“Three, two, one, cheating. Unlike a Game Hold, players should never
safety strap, accidents
happen. GAME ON!” call a Time Stop. It is a tool for GMs only.
• Illegal hits in combat. If When A Time Stop is ended in the same way as a
you get your bell rung
players hear the call Game Hold – the person who started it will call
due to a bad hit, it is
of Game On, they “Three, two, one, GAME ON!” At that point, action
OK to call a hold to
clear your head and are free to act should resume exactly where it left off.
recover. You should normally again.
Safety
not be at a
Any player
disadvantage because
can call a Game Safety is a paramount concern at Kingdoms of
of your opponent’s
illegal hit. Hold at any time, Novitas. While it ain’t golf, and people are frequently
but please try and hitting each other with padded weapons, this doesn’t
Bad Game Holds ensure you have a mean we want to see anyone injured.
good reason. While all rules of the game are important,
• You fall but are not
Dropped weapons, rules dealing with safety concerns always take
injured
falls not resulting in priority. Players ignoring Game Holds, initiating
• You drop your weapon
• You don’t agree with a injuries, or arguing bodily impacts during combat, using unsafe weapons,
rules call rules are NOT valid and other such things, especially to gain advantage
• Combat is going badly reasons for calling a for their character, will be dealt with far more harshly
for you
Game Hold. If you than players who break other rules, whether
• There is no immediate
see a person fall, knowingly or inadvertently.
danger to anyone
they should call the Touching other players at Kingdoms of
Game Hold Novitas is sometimes a, well, touchy issue. People
themselves, if they need it, as they are the one who who are friends and are comfortable with each other
knows if they are injured. The obvious exception to sometimes forget that other people, especially new
this would be if they are too injured to speak, in players, might not appreciate a clap on the back or a
which case you should immediately call a Game friendly hug. Players in game at Kingdoms of
Hold and get help. This is very unlikely, but should Novitas should always ask before initiating
be addressed. physical contact with another person. Don’t just
Please try to refrain from reflexively assume that because you’re “rescuing” the maiden
calling a Game Hold every time someone takes a that she wants to be grabbed and slung over your
tumble. After all, people fall down in medieval shoulder – she may have very different ideas!
fantasy all the time and the world doesn’t stop for Contact in combat is another matter, and is
them. Being aware of your surroundings is just as covered in greater detail in the Combat section of
much of a part of the game as everything else, and is these rules, but, in short, the only contact in combat
part of what makes it “live action”. But, as in that should be happening is with weapons.
everything else, safety first. If you are unsure of the
situation, call a Game Hold.
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treasure, but this must be done in a certain way. Not
In game theft
every player wants another person touching them to
Invariably, characters get the urge to steal from each search them, and not every person desires to have to
other. While this is allowed, there are a few rules to pat down other players who may have hidden their
follow. loot in dubious places.
First, Kingdoms of Novitas has no character
skills that allow theft. If you want to steal from
another character, you need to actually pick their
pocket, empty their pouch, or otherwise take their
items.
Second, only items that are in game items
may be stolen. All in game items, even though they
may be in the possession of a character, are
Kingdoms of Novitas props, and must be returned to
Logistics if your character dies or you permanently
leave the game. Looking at it another way, character
theft is more a matter of game props changing hands
between characters than stealing from another person.
Normal weapons, armor, garb and equipment all may
not be stolen. Potions, scrolls, magic items, and
marked treasure are all fair game.
An easy example of this is a character who
has a wooden chest that he keeps some of his
belongings in. While the things inside that chest may
be in game items, and hence fair game for stealing,
the box itself usually is not. If you wish to steal the
items inside that box, you may do so, but you cannot
simply pick up the box and walk off with it. You also
may not damage the box to get inside it.
Real world personal items should NEVER
be touched. Things like medicines, wallets/money,
car keys, or cell phones are all off limits. Players who
take these items are committing a real world crime,
and will be dealt with accordingly.
Often, characters will want to search a cabin
or building. This is allowed, but there is one
important rule: things under bunks are out of game.
Under your bunk is the place to store things like
clothes, food (in sealed containers), etc., and in game
items should never be stored there unless the player
who owns them is out of game. To do so is cheating,

and if a Game Master sees you taking in game items
To deal with this potentially delicate issue,
from under your bunk while you are in game, you
Kingdoms of Novitas uses the following procedure
will likely lose them.
for searching other players:
Characters sleeping out of game should

likewise not be touched. Neither them, nor their
1. Announce your search, and wait for a
equipment, including their in game items, are in
response. A simple declaration to the fallen
game at that time, and they should have marked
person of “I’m going to search you now” is
themselves or their bunk clearly with orange tape, or
sufficient.
an orange glow stick if it is dark to be sure.

2. Players who do not wish to touch another
Searching players player to search may simply begin a detailed
search.
The first thing on many character’s minds after a

battle is loot. Naturally, they will want to search the
fallen for information, money, magic items, or
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