View source for A Guide to Monstering

== What is “Monstering”? ==

It is a term from the LARP community that a number of LARPs use as a way of referring to playing the enemies, normally in a combat sense.

For example, at a Lord of the Rings LARP, you might “monster” as the orcs of Mordor.

Monstering, specifically Player Monstering is a key part of LARP as it helps keep fights challenging and fun by providing players more enemies to fight as often the amount of players at a game will outnumber the skirmish crew alone. The solution to this is there are volunteer spots where players will also be the enemies for a short period of time, to make up the numbers and make the fights more interesting.

In the LARP community, it is expected that if you are participating in fights and skirmishes as your character, you should monster an encounter. Whether taking a martial role or not, everyone should monster as it is part of the social contract to do so and help provide game to others in a suitable role.

However, if there's a reason you or your character wouldn't want to play on a battle/fight you are very welcome to monster multiple times! Monstering is one of the best ways to learn combat in LARP, as you get lots of practice without risk to your character!

== Monstering at Menhirs Fate ==

There will be time slots throughout the weekend where everyone on a nation will join the skirmish or NPC crew for up to 2 hours to help bulk out the monstering numbers for the reasons described above. There will be set time slots throughout the weekend for each nation, published before the event. Peoples need will be taken into account for fulfilling this role and we are aiming to make sure everyone enjoys monstering whatever the role they take.<br />
Each monster slot will be 2 hours.

You will be given stats and abilities for your monster different to your skills and abilities from your player character, these may change from event to event so make sure you know your stats for the encounter.

There may be some low combat roles including utility magicians or healers, but these will differ from faction to faction and will be limited in number, so speak to the skirmish leader if you have requirements. The one requirement we will not be able to help with is if you cannot get hit by LARP weapons. It is the one unavoidable part of monstering.

The players will play a couple of different roles supported by the full-time skirmish crew who will act as commanders. Make sure you listen to the skirmish leaders on these encounters, they are there to look at the big picture of how to make the fight most fun.

There will also be “respawn” points where if your monster has died, wait a little on the ground before putting your hand in the air, to signify that you are out of character, before standing up and going to the space designated by the skirmish crew. If in doubt, ask someone!

The goal of monstering at Menhirs fate should not be to “kill the players” but to represent the enemies to the best of your ability to provide the most immersion for those players you are fighting against. React and give them an awesome game, and they will do the same for you when you are fighting the enemies!

== What do I need to bring to monster? ==

* Yourself!

** Come ready to have some fun, we will always endeavour that both volunteers and players will have fun in these battles, and we can't wait to have you.
* Basic base layers

** Come in your basic kit layers when you come to monster.
* Any armour/weapons you might want to use.
* Kit relevant to the faction you are monstering as (optional).

** We will provide some basic kit for players monstering but you are more than welcome to bring your own. Refer to the faction look and feel for suitable kit.

== Referees ==

On the battlefield, there will also be crew acting as referees. It is our plan for all of the skirmish crew and nation support crew to be trained as battle refs. There will be other referees around as well.

If you have any out-of-character problems on the battlefield please do not hesitate to find a referee to help you. Also, always remember the “Player down” call for when an out-of-character injury has occurred.

If a referee tells you to do something out-of-character, please make sure to follow their instructions, it is likely for your out-of-character safety.

[[Category:Monstering]]
[[Category:Menhirs Fate Wiki]]