Concord LARP is an event that aims to be open to LARPers of all ages, with the idea that having children and young people present in a world adds not only authenticity but also variety to the experiences of all involved. We encourage younger players to involve themselves in the world, to experience the story, and add to it in their own way, with the expectation that will do so to their fullest and with the support of the community and their guardians.
Our goals are to provide young LARPers with an awesome event, to ensure that these players attending the event add to the immersion of other players (not detract), and to ensure that Concord LARP, the community, and younger players are protected legally and morally as much as we are able. While it might be nice to think that LARP can do a lot towards to the growth and maturity of young people, the Concord Team will settle for a fun and safe event that everyone can attend.
For more information about Children at Concord, and how they can particiapte in the world of Esterra, see The Academy.
Guidelines for Parents and Guardians
It's awesome that you're looking to bring a young person to Concord and we want to help all of you achieve a great weekend. It is important to know that there are additional responsibilities for you while acting as a guardian for a younger person. Concord is a full weekend of camping and LARP that can create difficult circumstances. As an event, supervision is required for younger people and we expect you, acting as parent or guardian, to provide that supervision. Concord is not a childcare center or a creche that looks after children while you LARP.
If the person acting as the younger player's guardian is not their legal guardian, they must have written permission from the legal guardian to act as legal guardian for the event. If a younger player has multiple guardians present at an event, the requirements of a Guardian may be shared. Multiple guardians may be nominated but these must be nominated before the event with each guardian being acknowledged as such by the legal guardian of the child. We would ask that any such guardian who is not a relative of the child hold a valid WWC card, a photo of which should accompany the nomination. All guardian nominations should be emailed to [email protected].
Concord is a mature game and while there are aspects designed particularly for younger players, adult players are not required to alter their gameplay for the sake of children. Players will likely swear, shout and project aggressive emotions as the tempo of the game rises and falls. Players will drink, cook and scheme. All of these will be done in the vicinity of children and may involve them. It is our belief that children will generally hear worse online than they would at a Concord event, but we do ask you to consider those ramifications before bringing your child to Concord.
We also ask that you consider the logistical requirements for bringing a younger player to LARP. Concord events continue late into the evenings and support younger players who may get tired earlier or might not be able to maintain roleplay for long periods of time. There are more details broken down by age bracket below, but in short, ensure that the younger players you are responsible for having options for leaving play or engaging in private play without disrupting other players.
Finally, we know Concord is often an event for you to cut loose and relax. But we do ask that you moderate your drinking somewhat while acting as a guardian. We'd hate to have a circumstance where a younger player needs to leave and their guardian cannot drive.
Child Safety
To allow younger players to control the speed of their involvement in the game, the exact level to which they can engage with the game is varied into age groups and within those age groups, they will be able to pass certain milestones to control what aspects of the game they are involved with. See the guidelines by age below.
In addition, all adult players who are not parents or guardians of those particular young people are asked to not be alone with children at any time. This is for everyone's protection and we thank you for understanding.
All members of The Concord team (where appropriate) have Working-With-Children Cards, as will anyone interacting with younger players through The Academy.
Information for Under 10s
The rules for under 10's are based on the assumption that children of this age cannot engage significantly with a varied, long-form roleplay and will need supervision by guardians. These rules are in place to ensure that they have a good weekend and don't damage the event for others.
Purchase a “Child” ticket
Child tickets are a cheap ticket for everyone attending who is under 14. Like all other attendees they are required to be LARPWest members. Be aware that LARPwest has cheaper memberships for minors.”
24 Hour Supervision Required
Under 10's need to have a guardian present with them at all times. There is some flexibility in this (you do not need to be looming over them) but they should be within your sight at all times. This includes while the child is asleep. A guardian is required to be a player of the event, to ensure that they can supervise a younger player while they are IC.
Must have suitable costume
Younger players who are in an IC space must have a costume that is suitable for the setting as much as is practicable. We understand that footwear is always difficult from a LARP perspective and request neutral coloured footwear.
Must have suitable toys
Young children will need to be entertained. The perfect toys for an IC space are IC toys that are valid within the setting. We ask that you do not bring bright plastic toys or modern items such as tablets into the IC space.
A character but no skills
Players as young as this are perfectly capable of being present in the world. Of having a character that is not them and roleplaying during the event. But given the complexity of Concord's world, they cannot have a mechanical character during this time.
Always non-combatant
Players in this age bracket cannot engage in combat. They can be supervised by their guardian and engage in light play-fighting. In addition, while acting as guardian for an under 10 player, you also may not engage in combat, as they require your direct supervision at all times.
Information for 10-13 year olds
The rules for players of this age bracket are the expectation that they are coming into their own in regards to roleplay, understanding the mechanisms of the game, and communicating play with other players. We want to make this process something that can be done actively and within the comfort of the players involved, so that they can take it at their own pace rather than being thrust into circumstances above their ability or held back beyond their skill.
Purchase a Child ticket
Child tickets are a cheap ticket for everyone attending who is under 14. Like all other attendees they are required to be LARPWest members. Be aware that LARPwest has cheaper memberships for minors.”
24 Hour Guardian Responsibility
You do not have to supervise your child at all times, they may be off and about doing academy or their own business at the event. The golden rule is "You must know where your child is at all times, and they must know where you are at all times." Both parties should be checking in with each other regularly, particularly if their circumstances are going to change. A guardian is expected to be a player in the event so that they can have responsibility for the younger player while they are IC.
Must have suitable costume
Younger players who are in an IC space must have a costume that is suitable for the setting as much as is practicable. We understand that footwear is always difficult from a LARP perspective and request neutral coloured footwear.
Must have suitable toys
Young children will need to be entertained. The perfect toys for an IC space are IC toys that are valid within the setting. We ask that you do not bring bright plastic toys or modern items such as tablets into the IC space.
A Character Progressing into the world
All players of this age should have a character with a name and a story, even if it is very basic. But the extent to which they are a mechanical character will vary. They all start with the Apprentice skill (See The Academy page for more information on this skill).
From the ages of 12 and up, they may attempt the Test of Citizenship which will allow them to become a full player if they are successful. As such, mechanical involvement may vary. More information may be found on the Academy page
Generally a non-combatant
All players of this age begin as non-combatants. They are allowed to engage in sparring if overseen by an adult. From the ages of 12 and up players of this age may attempt the Test of Mettle, which will allow them to become full combatants if they are successful - though they do not gain any character skills until they pass their Test of Citizenship, and so may only use up to Medium Armour, and Single Handed Weapons, when playing as their character if they have not done.
As such, combat involvement may vary.
Information for 14-17 year olds.
The rules at this age bracket account for the fact that these young players are fully capable and expected to interact with the game as a full players. But also account for the fact that they still require some amount of supervision and guidance.
Tickets
If a 14-17 year old has previously passed their Test of Citizenship and is now playing a full character with XP and an Investment then they should purchase a normal PC ticket. If they are continuing in the Academy, having either not passed the test of Citizenship, then they should buy an Academy ticket and their character will continue in that way. Players aged 16-17 may choose to waive passing their test of Citizenship and simply purchase a full PC ticket at their discretion with it having been assumed they have in some way distinguished themselves such as to not require formal graduation.
Guardian Presence Required
Players in this age bracket require a guardian present at the event in order to participate. Their guardian does not need to maintain supervision but should ensure that the younger player is supported and assisted in participating in the game. The Guardian may be a spectator, vendor, or a crewmember, even if the younger player is not.
Legal Considerations
Players of this age bracket are required to consider the legal ramifications on them. They should not drink alcohol while at a Concord event and should understand that adult players have additional considerations given that they are a minor.
Game Involvement
If an Academy ticket was purchased minors of this age group engage in the game in the same was as those aged 10-14 in terms of having the Apprentice Skill, how they may engage in combat activities, and in that they have no Investment or XP based skills. If they purchased a PC ticket then they play the game in precisely the same manner as any other PC.
However, players under 16 who have not completed their Test of Mettle will be unable to deal damage or deliver effects. Previously, this loophole puts our young players into strange circumstances that we did not intend. Characters who have completed their test of mettle will have an indicator, although this indicator is still being formulated.