Getting Started/Your First Day
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What you'll cover
- Know what happens when you arrive at the site
- Make the most of the OC period before time-in
- Understand how time-in works and what to expect
- Feel prepared for your first steps in Haven
Arriving at the Site
When you pull up to the site, the traffic team will check your QR code or order number at the road entrance. They'll then direct you to either IC or OC camping, depending on what you chose when booking your ticket.
Your first job is to find your nation's camp. Haven is organised by nation, so each group has its own area. If you've been chatting on Discord beforehand, your nation-mates will likely be expecting you and happy to help you settle in. If not, ask anyone in costume that matches your nation's look. People are friendly and will point you in the right direction.
Get your tent up (or find your rental tent, which will already be set up for you), stow your gear, and take a breath. You're here.
Arriving Thursday?: If you booked Thursday camping, you'll have a relaxed evening to set up, explore the site, and meet people before the Friday programme begins. It's a great way to ease into the weekend.
The OC Period
Friday before time-in is your settling-in window. The game hasn't started yet, so everyone is out of character. Use this time to:
Get ready at your own pace. Costume isn't required until time-in, so you've got plenty of time to get changed and sorted. Ask your camp-mates for help if you need a hand with armour straps or cloak pins.
Attend the Friday sessions. There's a full schedule of introductions and meetings on Friday afternoon, covering things like guild introductions, how Weaving works, and other useful briefings. Check the schedule page for the latest programme, as it changes for every event.
Try the New Player Combat Skirmish. This is a dedicated session on Friday afternoon for anyone who wants to try out the combat system before the game begins. It's designed for people who are unsure whether they'll enjoy fighting or want to build confidence with weapons in a safe, low-pressure environment. You can practise without any risk to your character.
Pick up your character passport. If you created your character at least a week before the event, head to the Bankers Guild to collect your character passport and withdraw your starting coin from your bank account. The bank usually aims to be fully set up on the Friday before time-in to help spread out the queues. Note that the inside of the Bankers Guild tent is the one place treated as IC before time-in, so step in character when you enter.
Meet your neighbours. Walk around your nation's camp, say hello, and introduce yourself. This is the easiest time to make connections because everyone is relaxed and in set-up mode.
Feeling nervous?: That's completely normal. Almost every player remembers feeling nervous before their first event. The feeling fades fast once you start talking to people and getting into costume. Lean into it.
Time-In
At 6pm on Friday, the game begins. Time-in is the moment Elandra comes alive and everyone steps into character.
The transition can feel sudden. One moment you're chatting OC about where to put the kettle; the next, the world has shifted and you're standing in Haven, surrounded by the cultures and politics of nine nations facing a common threat.
Here's the thing: you don't need to do anything dramatic. You don't need a grand entrance or a rehearsed introduction. Just be present. Listen to what's happening around you. Respond to the people who talk to you. The game will come to you.
Your First IC Interactions
Your earliest conversations in character will probably be with your own nation. That's perfect. These are the people who know you're new (because you introduced yourself on Discord, right?) and they'll naturally draw you into what's happening.
Most nations gather for a meeting shortly after time-in, coordinated by the Nation Threads (your nation's support crew). This is the perfect time to get caught up on what's happening and put faces to names. Stick with the group and you'll be right in the thick of it.
A few things that help:
Ask IC questions. "What's happening?", "What do we know about the threat?", "Where should I go?" are all perfectly natural things for a newly arrived character to say. They also happen to be genuinely useful for you as a player.
Follow someone experienced. If your nation is heading somewhere, go with them. Experienced players are often happy to have a newcomer tagging along, and you'll learn the rhythm of the game quickly by watching how others play.
Lean into your character. Even a simple character concept gives you something to hold onto. If you're a healer, ask if anyone needs patching up. If you're a fighter, ask where the front line is. If you're a scholar, ask what people know about the Corruption.
Don't worry about getting it wrong. You won't break anything. If you accidentally say something out of character, just correct yourself and move on. Everyone's done it.
Where to Go for Help
If at any point you feel lost, overwhelmed, or need assistance, you have options:
Your nation's camp. This is your home base. The central area of your nation's camp is a safe, familiar place to regroup.
Nation Support crew. Each nation has dedicated support crew who are there specifically to help players. They can answer questions, point you in the right direction, and help with anything you need.
The Guild Tents. The guild tents are always crewed and designed to help people. If you have questions about the game, want something to do, or need pointing in the right direction, head to any guild tent. The crew inside will look after you.
Referees. Refs are stationed throughout the event. If you have an out-of-character question or concern, find a ref. Their instructions are always for your safety and should be followed immediately.
The Customer Service tent. For anything OC, such as issues with your character sheet, lost property, or general queries, head to the Customer Service tent. The inside is always treated as OC, so you can drop character and speak freely.
The welfare zone. If you need a break from the game, there's an OC welfare area available at all times. No questions asked, no judgement. Take the time you need.
The Emotional Arc
Your first event will probably feel like a lot. That's normal and it's a good sign.
You might feel a rush of excitement when the game starts. You might feel a bit lost during your first hour. You might have a moment where everything clicks and you forget you're playing a game at all. You might feel exhausted by Saturday evening and exhilarated by Sunday morning.
All of this is part of the experience. The players around you have felt every one of these things, and most of them will tell you that their first event was one of the most memorable weekends of their lives.
Give yourself permission to feel it all. The game rewards you for showing up, being present, and being open to whatever happens next.