From Caernest
Caernest LARP has Open-Ended character development. There are no classes, levels or alignments. There is no maximum to the number of skill points a character can have spent.
Contents |
Characters
A Character is the fictional persona used by players at Caernest LARP. While the character is the intellectual property of the player, by playing them at the game, they give rights to the game to use them as seen fit by Game Staff. This means that GMs have the right to ask a player to play their character to further a plot, or to write plot including a retired character, without the express permission of the player.
Characters have Names, Backgrounds, and Skills, and can accrue Experience points. Characters are not allowed to have blinding hatred for other PC races. Every Player is required to carry a Character sheet. (A Character sheet holds the details of your character. Blank character sheets can be obtained from Logistics.) Game Masters acting in their official capacity may demand that any player present their character sheet. Players who cannot produce their character sheets upon demand of a Game Master may be removed from play. Character sheets are invalid unless proofed and signed by Logistics.
Character Death
Should a character die, a new character must be created before entering play again. Players are not allowed to play more than one character per game. Dead characters do not pass on any of the following to a player's new character: Belongings, abilities, memories. (Note: This is not an exhaustive list.) Upon a character's death, the player is required to turn in all of that character's in-game possessions not looted from their dead body, and report the death of their character to Logistics. New characters must be based on a different concept than previous characters.
Players who experience character death are given one-half of their dead character's levels (rounded up) to upgrade their new character or an existing alt of the player. Experience Points not yet spent to level up may be transferred to another of the player's characters without penalty.
Death & New Players
Players attending their first event are allowed a single “Newbie death”. If a character dies at the player's first event, the player is permitted to expend the “newbie death” once and continue playing the same character. Players using a newbie death must report to Logistics or a Game Master to report their death. The Game Master will instruct the character on how to re-enter the game. Players who have attended more than one Caernest LARP event are not allowed any more Newbie Deaths.
Character Retirement
Players may voluntarily retire their characters. Game masters may deny the retirement of characters who are currently involved in plot or PVP-related conflicts.
Alternate Characters
Players may create a second character, commonly called an “alt”, at any time after their first character has reached tenth level. It is permissible for a player to play one character, but assign all XP earned to the alt. Alts must follow all rules for new characters. No player may share resources of any time or kind between their main character and their alt. Players may not have more than two characters active at any time (not counting dead or retired characters).
Character Amnesty
Players are allotted one Character Amnesty per character. Character Amnesty allows the player to change any aspect of their character, or even create an entirely new character. Character Amnesty may only be used between the end of the first event with that character, and the start of the next event that Player attends. A player using Character Amnesty does not lose any experience, treasure, or magic objects they obtained while playing the first version of that character. Characters that are similar enough after Character Amnesty may assume the old life, goals, and affiliations of the altered character. Players creating a totally new character with character amnesty must follow all rules for new characters. Character Amnesty can only occur at Logistics, and only under supervision of a Logistics official.
Character Advancement
Characters advance their skills by gaining Experience Points (XP). Characters start with Zero XP, and 10 skill points. XP are never awarded for playing your PC. Instead, XP are awarded to players for services and donations to the group. The most common means of gaining XP is by playing NPCs and volunteering time towards the game when needed. XP are used to buy skill points. Each skill point costs 5XP. Some skills cost more than 1 skill point to purchase.
Characters may only advance at Logistics when the player signs-in for the event.
Post Event Letter
A PEL is an optional short write-up of your character’s actions during an event, as well as an overview of what you did as an NPC. Players who provide to the Game Masters a Post Event Letter (PEL) may be eligible to receive 2 XP (claimed at the next event’s sign-in). PELs have a 500 word minimum, and must attempt to be grammatically correct and free of spelling errors. PELs in an improper format are worth nothing; ask for help from a GM or experienced player if you're unsure what to write.
Character Concepts
Players who distill their Character Concept into a typed, well-written, GM-approved background of more than 500 words may be eligible to receive 5XP. Backgrounds must be submitted electronically at least two weeks prior to an event. This experience award is only available before the character attains 12 skill points, or before a character's first appearance in game, whichever comes first.
Characters must have a unique name (as their first and last names; more than one character can have the same first or last name, but not the same combination of names). Players may not take names directly from pop culture, history, or literature. Players may not take the name of another established Caernest LARP character or figure. Players should choose only serious names for their characters and avoid silly or insulting names. Staff will evaluate the name of each new character, and may require you to change your character's name.
No player may start the game with rank in any kind of social organization. This also disallows players entering play with titles such as Sir, Lord, or almost any other. Characters who pay for certain Roleplaying Skills may be exempted from this rule, depending on the skill. A player may choose to come from any social background common to Caernest, but no player is permitted to come from a land of his or her own creation or from other fictional worlds. (Inventing the name of your home village or town, however, is acceptable). A players social background may not grant the player any special abilities or favors. Players are not permitted to create religions of their own. Characters are permitted, regarding religion, to follow any existing religion already written for Caernest. Players are not allowed to claim any kind of relationship to any of their previous characters.
Players are allowed to start parties, guilds, groups, organizations, etc. but are capped at a maximum player limit of ten. PCs are not allowed to adventure in groups of greater than eight. (This includes any additional members from outside your group attempting to join in on a potential plot or adventure.)
Skills
Skill Tables
These tables list out the Skills available to players at Caernest LARP:
| Combat Skills | |||
| Skill | Skill Point Cost | Prerequisite | Notes |
| Body 1 | 2 | -- | 1 Body point |
| Body 2 | 3 | Body 1 | 2 Body points total |
| Body 3 | 4 | Body 2 | 3 Body points total |
| Body 4 | 5 | Body 3 | 4 Body points total |
| Buckler Fighting | 1 | -- | Fight with a buckler |
| Great Weapon Training | 2 | Melee Training | Use weapons longer than 45” |
| Melee Training | 2 | -- | Use weapons 30” to 45” |
| Melee Proficiency | 3 | Melee Training | 2 point damage total |
| Melee Expert | 4 | Melee Proficiency | 3 points damage total |
| Caernest LARP Appendix D: Skill Descriptions#Missile Training | 2 | -- | Use missile weapons |
| Missile Proficiency | 2 | Missile Training | 2 points damage total |
| Missile Expert | 2 | Missile Proficiency | 3 points damage total |
| Shield Fighting | 1 | Buckler Fighting | Fight with a shield |
| Thrown Weapon Training | 2 | -- | Use throwing weapons |
| Thrown Weapon Master | 3 | Thrown Weapon Training | 2 point damage total |
| Two Weapon Fighting Training | 2 | Melee Training | Use two weapons, both under 30” |
| Two Weapon Fighting Expert | 3 | Two Weapon Fighting Training | Use two weapons, one up to 42” |
| Two Weapon Fighting Master | 4 | Two Weapon Fighting Expert | Use two weapons, both up to 42” |
| Weapon Master | 5 | All other combat skills | Swing for "3 Pierce" or "3 Slay" once per turning |
| General & Knowledge Skills | |||
| Skill | Skill Point Cost | Prerequisite | Notes |
| Estimate Value | 2 | -- | Access to item value sheets |
| Identify Magic | 2 | -- | Access to magic item sheets |
| First Aid | 1 | -- | Keep people alive with mortal wound |
| Herbalist | 2 | -- | Can use alchemy items that require skill |
| Lore | 2 | -- | Ask 1 question between games |
| Advanced Lore | 3 | Lore | Ask total of 2 questions between games |
| Master Merchant | 1 | Merchant | Can turn in 50 coin for 7XP |
| Merchant | 1 | -- | Can turn in 30 coin for 4XP |
| Racial Languages | 1 | -- | Can take this skill multiple times for multiple languages |
| Read Magic | 2 | -- | Can read scrolls |
| Tradesman | 1 | Estimate Value | Income |
| Production Skills | |||
| Skill | Skill Point Cost | Prerequisite | Notes |
| Alchemy 1 | 1 | Herbalist, 2 Production Points | Can create level 1 alchemical compounds |
| Alchemy 2 | 2 | Alchemy 1, Mirror of Sophistry | Can create level 2 alchemical compounds |
| Alchemy 3 | 3 | Alchemy 2, Hermetic Rod | Can create level 3 alchemical compounds |
| Alchemy 4 | 4 | Alchemy 3, Thaumaturgist’s Mortar | Can create level 4 alchemical compounds |
| Alchemy 5 | 5 | Alchemy 4, Philosopher’s Stone | Can create level 5 alchemical compounds |
| Brew Potion | 2 | Any level 1 spell, 2 Production Points | Can brew potions |
| Craft Points | 1 | -- | Used for Weaponsmithing, Ornamenting and Tinkering |
| Ornamenter 1 | 4 | 1 Craft Point | Can craft up to 4 craft-point items |
| Ornamenter 2 | 3 | Ornamenter 1 | Can craft up to 8 craft-point items |
| Ornamenter 3 | 4 | Ornamenter 2 | Can craft up to 12 craft-point items |
| Ornamenter 4 | 5 | Ornamenter 3 | Can craft up to 16 craft-point items |
| Ornamenter 5 | 6 | Ornamenter 4 | Can craft up to 20 craft-point items |
| Production Points | 1 | -- | Used for Alchemy, Brew Potions, and Scribe Scroll |
| Scribe Scroll | 4 | Any level 1 spell, Read Magic, 1 Production Point | Can create scrolls |
| Tinker 1 | 4 | 1 Craft Point | Can craft up to 4 craft-point items |
| Tinker 2 | 3 | Tinker 1 | Can craft up to 8 craft-point items |
| Tinker 3 | 4 | Tinker 2 | Can craft up to 12 craft-point items |
| Tinker 4 | 5 | Tinker 3 | Can craft up to 16 craft-point items |
| Tinker 5 | 6 | Tinker 4 | Can craft up to 20 craft-point items |
| Weaponsmith 1 | 4 | 1 Craft Point | Can craft up to 4 craft-point weapons |
| Weaponsmith 2 | 3 | Weaponsmith 1 | Can craft up to 8 craft-point weapons |
| Weaponsmith 3 | 3 | Weaponsmith 2 | Can craft up to 12 craft-point weapons |
| Weaponsmith 4 | 4 | Weaponsmith 3 | Can craft up to 16 craft-point weapons |
| Weaponsmith 5 | 5 | Weaponsmith 4 | Can craft up to 20 craft-point weapons |
| Master Smith | 5 | At least 2 of: Ornamenter, Tinker, or Weaponsmith at level 5 | Can craft up to 24 craft-point items |
| Roleplaying Skills | |||
| Skill | Skill Point Cost | Prerequisite | Notes |
| Druid 1 | 4 | Staff permission | Speak with Plants |
| Druid 2 | 4 | Druid 1, GM permission | |
| Druid 3 | 4 | Druid 2, GM permission | |
| Druid 4 | 4 | Druid 3, GM permission | |
| Druid 5 | 4 | Druid 4, GM permission | |
| Medium 1 | 4 | GM permission | |
| Medium 2 | 4 | Medium 1, GM permission | |
| Medium 3 | 4 | Medium 2, GM permission | |
| Medium 4 | 4 | Medium 3, GM permission | |
| Medium 5 | 4 | Medium 4, GM permission | |
| Status 1 | 4 | GM permission | |
| Status 2 | 4 | Status 1, GM permission | |
| Status 3 | 4 | Status 2, GM permission | |
| Status 4 | 4 | Status 3, GM permission | |
| Status 5 | 4 | Status 4, GM permission | |
| Ordained 1 | 4 | GM permission | |
| Ordained 2 | 4 | Ordained 1, GM permission | |
| Ordained 3 | 4 | Ordained 2, GM permission | |
| Ordained 4 | 4 | Ordained 3, GM permission | |
| Ordained 5 | 4 | Ordained 4, GM permission | |
| Magic Skills | ||||
| Skill | Cost | Level | Prerequisite | Notes |
| Magic Power | 1 | n/a | none | Required for casting spells; maximum of 20 |
| Master Mage | 5 | n/a | 20 power and all spells of a school | |
| Aegis Magic | ||||
| Rituals of Protection | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Aegis rituals |
| Magic Armor | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | 2 point Magic Armor to target touched |
| Toughness | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Target touched gains +2 Body points |
| Spirit Shield | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Aegis Spell | Protects target touched against next poison, acid attack |
| Anti-Magic Shield | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Aegis Spell | Next Dart Spell at target touched is nullified |
| Sanctuary | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Aegis Spell | 10’ impenetrable bubble around caster |
| Improved Magic Armor | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Aegis Spell | 4 point Magic Armor to target touched |
| Anti-Magic Aura | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Aegis Spell | Magical attacks at target touched are nullified |
| Synchronize | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Aegis Spell | Aegis effects (up to 4th level) active on Caster are duplicated to target touched |
| Poison Immunity | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Aegis Spell | Target touched is immune to poison (and acid) |
| Aura of Reflection | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Aegis Spell | Next magical attack at target touched rebounds at enemy |
| Compulsion Magic | ||||
| Rituals of Compulsion | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Compulsion rituals |
| Weaken 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Magic dart makes target hit for half damage |
| Disengage | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Magic dart makes target unwilling to attack caster |
| Charm | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Compulsion Spell | Magic dart makes target your trusting friend |
| Silence | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Compulsion Spell | Magic dart prevents speech |
| Pin | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Compulsion Spell | Magic dart prevents target from moving his feet |
| Memory Loss | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Compulsion Spell | Magic dart removes last 10 minutes of memory |
| Fear | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Compulsion Spell | Magic dart makes target flee from you |
| Stun | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Compulsion Spell | One magic dart makes the target unable to act, move or speak |
| Dominate | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Compulsion Spell | Magic dart gives command of a living creature |
| Mind Blank | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Compulsion Spell | Target Touched is immune to Compulsion magic |
| Enchantment Magic | ||||
| Enchantment Rituals | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Enchantment rituals |
| Magic Lock | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Magically lock a door, window or box on touch |
| Enhance Armor | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Target touched gains +1 armor points to existing armor |
| Enchant Shield | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Enchantment Spell | Shield touched absorbs next magic or alchemy attack |
| Silvershine | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Enchantment Spell | Melee weapon touched deals silver damage for ten minutes |
| Enchant Weapon | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Enchantment Spell | Weapon touched deals elven steel damage |
| Eldritch Stone | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Enchantment Spell | Throw two darts dealing 4 elven steel damage each |
| Spellstore | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Enchantment Spell | Weapon stores a spell cast into it for later use |
| ??? | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Enchantment Spell | |
| Wraithbane | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Enchantment Spell | Weapon touched does +1 damage and is elven steel |
| Shadow Skin | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Enchantment Spell | Target Touched is immune to all Weapon damage which is not Elven Steel |
| Nature Magic | ||||
| Rituals of Nature | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Nature rituals |
| Mend Armor | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Completely repairs armor damage on touch |
| Grounding | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Throw magic dart that prevents magical movement and escape |
| Dissipate | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Nature Spell | Caster dissolves into elements and disappears, able to move short distance |
| Natural Repulsion | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Nature Spell | Throw four magic darts that repel plants, insects, lesser elementals, or lower fae |
| Elemental Dart | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Nature Spell | Throw two magic darts dealing 4 points of fire damage |
| Elemental Weapon | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Nature Spell | Weapon touched deals fire damage |
| Banish | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Nature Spell | Throw a dart which forces someone into a dissipate they can't escape from |
| Petrify | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Nature Spell | Throw a dart which turns someone to stone, remove curse fixes them |
| Ley Lines | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Nature Spell | Magically move to your designated home |
| Primal Form | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Nature Spell | Target touched is immune to fire damage, and any weapon the target wields deals Primal damage. |
| Necromancy Magic | ||||
| Necromantic Rituals | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Necromantic rituals |
| Reap Spirit | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Steal the touched target's spark, preventing revival, must remain within 300 yards of body |
| Ghastly Visage | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Target touched appears as undead to other lesser undead |
| Repel Undead | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Necromancy Spell | Throw four magic darts that repel lesser undead |
| Creeping Rot | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Necromancy Spell | Dart does 4 poison damage. (Non Magical) |
| Sanctify | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Necromancy Spell | Prevents undead from entering a building or structure |
| Curse | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Necromancy Spell | Magic dart causes target to have 1 Body |
| Lesser Command | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Necromancy Spell | Throw four magic darts giving command of lesser undead |
| Unhallow | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Necromancy Spell | Prevents living from entering a building or structure |
| Abomination | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Necromancy Spell | Target touched gains DR 2 |
| Greater Command | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Necromancy Spell | Magic dart gives command of a greater undead |
| Restoration Magic | ||||
| Rituals of Restoration | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Restoration rituals |
| Heal Body | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Heals all Body damage on touch |
| Diagnosis | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | Reveals all non-magical ailments in person touched |
| Restore Limb | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Restoration Spell | Heals all limb wounds on touch |
| Purify Spirit | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Restoration Spell | Cures poisons, diseases, and physical afflictions |
| Heal Mortal Wound | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Restoration Spell | Heals one torso wound on touch |
| Remove Curse | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Restoration Spell | Removes magical curses, such as Petrification and Curse |
| Panacea | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Restoration Spell | Heals torso, limbs, body, poisons and disease on touch |
| Triage | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Restoration Spell | For one minute, cast any level 1 or 2 Restoration spell for free |
| Second Breath | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Restoration Spell | Caster receives Panacea before dying |
| ??? | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Restoration Spell | |
| Void Magic | ||||
| Rituals of Void | 1 | n/a | 1 Magic Power Point | Participate in Void rituals |
| ??? | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | |
| ??? | 1 | 1 | 1 Magic Power Point | |
| Mana Burn | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Void Spell | Two magic darts that drains 4 Magic Power points |
| ??? | 2 | 2 | Level 1 Void Spell | |
| Slaying Swarm | 3 | 3 | Level 2 Void Spell | Two magic darts dealing 4 Magic Slay damage each |
| Dispel Magic | 3 | 3 | Level 3 Void Spell | Nullifies a variety of magical effects on touch |
| Severance | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Void Spell | Four magic darts that drain 4 Magic Power points each |
| ??? | 4 | 4 | Level 3 Void Spell | |
| ??? | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Void Spell | |
| ??? | 5 | 5 | Level 4 Void Spell | |
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