Pantheon LARP
Basic Rules
Safety:
Safety is the number one priority of the Pantheon staff. A few rules have been put in place to insure a safe environment for all of our players.
Rule 1: The HOLD rule-
The first safety rule of the game, and the most important, is the HOLD rule. Calling a HOLD will immediately stop the game, freezing the in game time. If you are injured, or you are certain someone near you is, you may call a HOLD to assess and deal with the injury. Though the primary reason for the HOLD rule is safety, there are other times where a HOLD may be called. The HOLD rule may be called to clear up a rules question, settle a dispute, or as the effect of a skill. There are also some skills that require a HOLD to be called in order to carry out an action. When calling a HOLD you should be sure to shout the word “HOLD” loudly enough for others to hear. When the HOLD is called everyone who can hear it is to yell “HOLD” as well, not only to acknowledge the HOLD, but also to alert those players who did not hear the HOLD called. Once the HOLD is called all action stops immediately, and everyone ceases movement. Do not move or speak during the HOLD unless you are directly involved in the reason for using this rule. When the issue has been resolved, the person who initially called the HOLD will shout “3-2-1, LAY-ON”. Everyone who hears the call will yell “LAY ON” themselves, and the game resumes where it left off. Because In-Game time is frozen during a HOLD, all timed effects, including the death count, are put on pause for the duration of the HOLD. While anyone may use this rule to clear up a safety issue, clarify a rule, or complete a skill, do not abuse the HOLD rule.
Rule 2: Illness or injury-
In case of illness or injury, report to a member of staff immediately. First aid kits will be kept in designated areas around the camp including Logistics, and staff members will have access to phones or transportation should it become necessary. If you arrive to the game with a pre-existing illness or injury make sure you alert staff and we will attempt to make special arrangements if the situation calls for it. Also make sure to let staff know if you are on any medications.
Rule 3: Fire Safety-
Some camps used by Pantheon allow us to have candles, or have cabins that include fireplaces. We urge you to use common sense in these situations, and not leave a flame or fire unattended for any amount of time.
Rule 4: Locks and Bars-
Players are never to actually lock or bar the door to any building. In the case of locks, a physical representation of the lock should be placed on the outside of the door, never actually inhibiting the opening of the door itself. When barring a door, a sign is placed outside the door to show anyone outside that the door is barred in-game. The entrances and exits to buildings should never actually be blocked.
Rule 5: Age requirement-
All players of Pantheon are required to be at least 14 years of age. Players under 18 years of age must a parent or legal guardian with them the first time they sign in with Pantheon in order to sign paperwork.
Respect and Etiquette:
It is always important to be courteous and understanding of your fellow players. There are a few rules implemented to remind you to do so.
Rule 1: Clean up your trash-
The camp ground is not a place for your litter. Make sure you throw away all of your trash both inside of your person cabin, and out. If upon inspection you are to be found breaking this rule, you will receive a warning. Any offense after that will lead to other actions being taken.
Rule 2: Smoking-
Always be respectful to those players around you who do not smoke. Smoking is never, under any circumstance, allowed in any building. Be considerate, and avoid cabin doors and windows while smoking. Make sure not to leave your discarded tobacco products lying on the ground.
Rule 3: Physical altercations-
It is never ok to physically assault another player. If you choose to break this rule you, and in some cases the other parties involved, will be immediately asked to leave the camp. Any other action taken will be decided by Pantheon Staff at their following meeting.
Rule 4: Damages-
No property of the camp, another player, or Pantheon staff should ever be intentionally damaged. Causing intentional damage to property will cause action to be taken. We do however understand that accidents can happen. If you find damaged property, or accidentally damage a piece of property that does not belong to you, please alert staff immediately.
Rule 5: Stealing and personal property-
Underneath tables, cots, and in containers marked with an “out of game” label is where out of game items will be kept. All player food must be kept in the kitchen due to animals in the woods. Never touch anything not belonging to you in an out of game area. Personal items including personal food, clothing, showering supplies, ect. are not to be touched or taken by anyone other than their owner. If you plan on entering a cabin to steal items as your character you must alert a marshal. If your character manages to legitimately steal an item from another character, the physical representation of that item still belongs to the player it was taken from, so please remember to take care of the physical representation.
Rule 6: Alcohol and illegal substances-
Illegal substances and alcohol will not be tolerated by staff at Pantheon. If you feel you cannot go a weekend without use of these substances we urge you to seek professional help. In the case of a prescription drugs, remember to alert staff of your possession of the medication, as well as provide proof of prescription.
Rule 7: Keeping the in-game where it belongs-
There are things that will be said and done to your character in-game. These conflicts and actions are not meant to be taken out of game. Do not become offended by in game actions taken against your character. In the same regard the environment of Pantheon includes many gods. The existence of these in game gods is not meant to influence, encourage, or discourage any views or beliefs considering religion in the real world.
The In-Game Environment:
Rule 1: Not ruining everyone else’s fun-
Sometimes it can be difficult to immerse yourself in the in-game environment if others around you are not. Keep all out of game conversations to an absolute minimum (preferably none) to ensure you do not ruin the environment for the other players.
Rule 2: Modern items-
Modern items such as plastic containers, cell phones, or food packaging should never make an appearance in-game. Food and drink should be consumed out of a wooden or metal container excluding aluminum cans. If a situation occurs where you must use your cell phone, we ask that you move to an out of game area to do so.
Rule 3: Out of game areas-
Some areas of the camp will be designated as an out of game area. Never go into a building that is marked as an out of game area without permission of a staff member. Areas that will always be considered out of game include logistics, and the kitchen. Spend as little time in these areas as possible.
Character Creation:
There are many combinations of races and paths available at Pantheon. This creates an opportunity for a lot of customization when creating your character.
Rule 1: Picking a race-
There are six races available to be played at Pantheon. Each race has its own unique advantages and disadvantages. When choosing a character it is not only important to review their racial benefits and detriments, but also their costuming requirement. If you fail to meet the costuming requirements of the race you would like to play, you will not be able to play a member of that race.
Rule 2: Picking a path-
There are four skill paths available for you to choose from. All characters must have a primary path. All races in Pantheon start the game with 12 build points. These are the points used to purchase skills off of a skill path. The cost of any given skill can be found next to its name on the skill path. Skills bought from paths other than your primary path will cost you double the amount of build. You can only purchase skills in the order they appear in on the skill paths, and you must learn any skills that your character did not start with from another character in game excluding racials. In order to learn a skill you must have the appropriate number of build points by the end of the event and be taught by someone with the skill. It takes 5 minutes of teaching per point of build to learn. There is no teaching skill, anyone can teach any skill they know. It should be noted that all characters purchase Energy at 2 for 1 build.
Rule 3: Character background-
All players are required to submit a written background for their character by their second even playing them. This enables us to not only ensure that there is nothing in your history that conflicts with the in-game lore, but also include parts of your written history in future plot lines.
Combat:
The rules for combat create a safe and fun way to simulate battle at Pantheon. There are a few different methods damage and effects are delivered.
General Combat Rules:
Rule 1: When and where not to hit-
Weapons and packets should never be used during a HOLD. Also, for safety reasons, never aim for the head or groin. Hits to the head or groin do not have to be counted, but we understand that accidents do happen, and encourage our players to take the damage when no real pain was caused, and they know that the hit in that area was a mistake. There will be action taken against any player believed to be purposely aiming for the head or groin.
Rule 2: Points of Energy-
Many skills at Pantheon require you to spend points of energy in order to use them. Energy is represented by point tags. You are not expected to stop combat to tear off points directly after each effect is called in an encounter, but following a combat encounter you will remove the points from your tag ring, and hand them to the person the effects were used on.
Rule 3: Take your damage-
There are few things hated more by Pantheon staff than cheating. If you are hit with damage or an effect, and you choose to ignore it, you are cheating. If you do not clearly hear what was called, or you are confused on the effect of a skill, you may call a HOLD to ask for a clarification. If your character has enough damage called on them to knock the amount of body points your character has to a value of equal or less than zero your character will fall into the death count.
Rule 4: Being hit with swords and fire hurts-
When your character is hit with a weapon or packet, chances are it’s not going to feel good to them. Make sure you role-play accordingly to the effect or damage being done to you.
Boffer Weapon Rules:
Rule 1: How to deliver:
When using a boffer weapon, damage and effects should be called simultaneously with the weapon striking the target. Example: Calling “2 damage” while striking someone with a small weapon. Most boffer attacks will count nearly anywhere on the body. If a skill specifies a specific part of the body that must be hit, the skill only takes effect if the target is hit in the right area.
Rule 2: Pulling your blows-
Remember that we are not here to hurt each other. You need to swing, or throw hard enough for the other player to feel the hit without feeling physical pain. Swinging your boffer weapon as if it were a baseball bat is heavily discouraged as it often stings or bruises. Pulling your blows is the best method of swinging a boffer without hurting someone. To pull your blows, you simply ease back on the speed and impact of your boffer weapon directly before it makes contact.
Rule 3: Properly inspected weapons-
All weapons must pass inspection by a member of Pantheon staff. If your weapon passes inspection, you will be given a signed tag to prove that the weapon you are using has passed inspection. This tag should be taped to the hilt or base of your boffer. Instructions for creating a boffer that will pass inspection can be found in the Weapon Construction portion of the rules.
Skill Packet Rules:
Rule 1: How to deliver-
Damage and effects delivered through skill packets should be called out as the skill packet is thrown. If the packet misses, the effect does not count, but the energy for the effect is still expended.
Rule 2: Not throwing to break skin-
While skill packets are often a safe method of delivering effects and damage, whipping them at people can cause bruises, welts, and sometimes even break the skin. We ask that similar to the boffer rule, you only hit targets hard enough for them to feel your skill packet.
Rule 3: Correctly made skill packets-
Skill packets can either be represented by small bean bags, or a homemade version that involves placing birdseed into a square of fabric, and securing it with a rubber band. Since your skill packets will not be inspected, it is important that you remember to make them so they are not going to fall apart while not packing the seed in so much that it feels as though you are being hit with a rock.
Archery Rules:
Rule 1: How to deliver-
Damage and effects delivered with an arrow should be called as the arrow is being pulled back and shot. If the arrow misses the target, the skill does not take effect, and the amount of energy is still expended.
Rule 2: The correct bow-
The Pantheon archery system uses real bows with boffer arrows. Bows must not have a pull weight greater than 40 pounds. Bows with a pull weight greater than that will not pass staff inspection since they are a safety hazard.
Rule 3: The correct arrow-
The creation of boffer arrows uses the shaft of real arrow with the tip cut off and repaced with a boffer head. If you have never constructed a boffer arrow, or received instruction on how, we suggest that you rent them from staff, or have someone experienced in making boffer arrows make them for you. If you construct your own arrows, make sure you make one extra. That extra arrow will be cut open and examined by Pantheon staff to insure it is created safely.
Points converted for build:
Service points- Service points will be rewarded to players who assist staff in different ways. 100 service points will be converted to 1 build. You can purchase 100 service points for $10. You can purchase up to 200 service points each event.
Role-playing points-Role-playing points will be rewarded to characters for exceptional role-playing. Role-playing points may be rewarded to characters by staff members and role-playing marshals. 100 role-playing points will be converted to 1 build.