A Signpost for New Travelers
First of all, Welcome!
We're glad you're interested in Shadow Accord, or are at least willing to take a look at what it is we do.
Shadow Accord is a game that is made possible by the outstanding support of it's playership. We strive to create a fun and immersive experience; this is one of the core values that we tend to operate under. This is not simply a value by the organization or staff, but also held by the variety of players who attend.
We hope you'll say "Hi!" on The Forums and get to know the community. We are happy to welcome, meet, and assist new players.
Check-in
At the beginning of every event, Check-In of new characters takes place in the loft of the Tavern; the large building adjacent to the parking lot. Check-In is open from 6:00 pm on Friday until 12:00 am Saturday. Any late arrivals can go to Storyteller Camp anytime on Saturday or Sunday to get Checked in.
A guide: from arrival at camp to getting into game.
While you don't need to have a character sheet all filled out and ready to be reviewed by Check-In before coming to game, it can often be helpful.
Here is a link to Shadow Accord Character Sheet.
If you need assistance with filling out this documentation, you can contact the Check-In Team or visit their forums.
Character Guides
Character Guides are here to help you have a good time. They're not here deflate your ideas or to tell you what to do; their job is to ensure that you're informed enough about what you're getting in to so you'll feel more at ease and focus on the important part of the game: having fun.
The following is the sort of conversation the Character Guides will likely run through with you either prior to event or just before you've checked in:
Here are a few questions to help you think about your character. If you don't know the answer on something, don't worry, that's what we're here for!
But enough about us, let's talk about you:
- What's your real name?
- What's an email address where we can contact you?
- Are you new to Shadow Accord? Welcome!
- Tell us a bit about you. Have you LARPed before? Played WOD?] games? What brought you to our crazy little corner of the woods?
- Is there something in particular you want us to help you with?
Ok then! Let's talk about your character..
(Note: Characters cannot begin the game with a Noble writ, but other kinds of mortal statuses and lots of supernatural status can apply).
- What's your character's name?
- What faction/camp, if any, is your character going to part of?
- What happened during your character's non-supernatural life?
- What about your character's family; What non-supernatural things shaped their background?
- Does your character have any particular status or rank? How was it earned?
- What is the driving desire behind your character's actions? (e.g. love, power, helping others, etc.)
- What is your character's greatest fear or weakness? (e.g. enclosed spaces, alcoholism, death, etc.)
- How knowledgeable is your character about the world around them? How did they learn?
- If you have a background story, we'd love to hear it!
- Is there anything else you'd like to add?"
If a player doesn't want much help with the new character, then he/she just needs to show that they know enough canon/history/etc to meet the RP needs of the character to get signed off by a CG.
Note for Restricted Slot Characters
A Strange World
The World of Darkness is large.
Very, very large. And complicated.
White Wolf wrote each of their source books from the perspective of those who are being covered.
And then, there's 13th century European History to contend with.
History is written by the victors, but the losers still have their stories as well; making the process of identifying and deciphering the information all that more difficult.
We understand that trying to absorb it all can be freakishly daunting. The player's guide and Wiki tries to help break down the essentials of roleplay and background information you'll need to function in game. You should read the source materials some time, but you CAN start playing without it.
The game is not for everyone, but we as a gamer community try to make it as accessible as possible. A more experienced player to have as a buddy can help a lot. Allies not only raise your chance of survival but help get you immersed into the narrative. That said, you should choose the character YOU want to play, not anyone else. No matter what you choose, we're a pretty welcoming and friendly sort and would like to help you have a good experience.
A Few Ideas
Here are some ideas for simple character concepts that don't require a lot of foreknowledge. These are meant to be "jumping-off" points for fleshed out character concept that you will have fun playing. If you need any help with any of this, that's what we Character Guides do.
- A Commoner. Learning about the world of the supernatural in game means that you need only be armed with the superstitions mortals held at the time and a bit of knowledge of history. As a Player keep in mind however, that the Supernaturals don't want you to find out about them or want to eat you. Being willing to put yourself out there and make your own game is a definite plus. You may be a dormant ghoul, unaware kinfolk, or one marked by the restless. You may also have your character go through a first change, find a patron for an Embrace, or die a terrible death to join the ghosts later on.
- A new (insert faction here). You can learn about your faction from the people in game. Now, their patience for teaching may vary depending on how many there are to train at the time and how much death and doom is going on. A way to make sure you are known by the right people is to introduce your character at a between game event.
Helpful Links
A Few Pointers to get the most out of your LARP experience.