Here is our updated DrachenFest Play Guide. This year's updates were light - we focused on streamlining the wording around a few complicated topics, and ideas that have evolved since the festival began. Here are the highlights:
We did some light clarity-driven editing on sections "It's a Game" (p4) and "Rules and Reacting to stuff" (p6).
(p7) Clarified our stance on "alternate characters" - our intention is that you play the same character throughout the festival. We do make some exceptions for groups with concepts based on full masks or other high-difficulty costumes (like Orc Clans). When they need to get a bite to eat, or take a break from the heat, they can play as an "alt" tightly linked to the main character (maybe a servant or mercenary). Alts have the same roles & guild skills as the primary character. If this creates a lot of confusion or frustration, alt permission can be limited or revoked.
(p9) Added text about Theft in the Bazaar and the rules for shoplifting from enterprises. More details can be found in last year's Banditry and the Bazaar post.
(p12) Clarified our stance on personal firearms in this high fantasy game: you can wear a medieval firearm prop as a costuming accessory, but it cannot be drawn in combat or used in play. Guns simply don't work here.
(p21) Last year, some areas in the Bazaar were marked "18+" because of roleplay or concepts that might not be child-safe (ie seedy bars, surgery scenes with lots of blood and gore, etc). We've extended this rule to allow any area to be designated 18+ as long as clear signage is posted.
(p27) under "You can opt out at any time!" added a paragraph encouraging active calibration. "Oh, Mother" is not just to protect yourself, it also alerts referees to overly intense play.
(p33) Updated text about Leadership roles and how they are selected. Each role also links to a blogpost with more details.
(p34) Provided additional "spirit of the rules" explanations around Guild Skills and classes.
(p35) Updated text about "leveling up" to better set expectations around mechanical character progression.
(p42) Added a paragraph to "See a Ref when you..." encouraging players to talk to their camp refs about plot. They can help you build your own fun festival plots and quests!
(p44) Added a timeline of the event. Clarified that it's okay to roleplay and get into character during the pre-game days. While the opening ritual signals the beginning of formal gameplay, many people gradually get into character long before that.
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