Live Action Role Play (LARP): A collaborative storytelling game where players physically portray their characters to tell a collective story in a fictional setting.
Cast / Staff: The volunteers who organize events, help make the game run, and play Non-Player Characters during events.
Game Directors: The coordinators of the game, responsible for the game’s overall story and direction. The Barrow’s Watch Directors are Candelia Doyle, Katelynn O’Guerra, and Matthew Styron.
In-Game: An action, area, or person considered “in play” and an active part of the game world. When IG, stay in character and refrain from out-of-game conversation except for safety reasons (see Communicating Out-of-Game Information).
Module/Mod: A contained encounter for a group of players that takes place in a defined area, either indoors or outdoors, away from the main game area. Modules often represent destinations some distance away from the main game area IG, and may have limitations on the number of players who can participate at one time.
Non-Player Character (NPC): Roles played by members of staff: the benefactors, beasts, bandits, and other characters populating the game world.
Out-of-Game (OOG): An action, area, or person that is not currently “in play” or part of the game world. Players or staff may signal that they are OOG by placing a hand on top of their head. Restrooms, Staff Center, and module buildings (except when directed there by an NPC) are OOG areas.
Player Character (PC): The “main characters” of the game, played by paying attendees of the game. PCs interact with each other and the game world, overcoming obstacles and making decisions that impact the outcome of the story.
Staff Center: The game’s logistical headquarters during an event. At Camp Denison, the lower floor of the Lodge building is used as staff center. Knock on the door of Staff Center if you have questions or concerns during an event, or if you need to let staff know something.
Tag: Tags are pieces of paper that convey additional information or clarification about an object or environment. While the tags themselves are out-of-game props, the information that they contain will affect things in-game.
The most important rule at Barrow's Watch is the “Be Cool” Rule. This is a wide-ranging statement of ethics, shared with other Be Epic games, which outlines our guiding principles of cooperation, honor, and fair play for anyone in the Be Epic LARP community. Staff and players should:
Treat everyone involved with courtesy and respect regardless of the circumstances.
Stop and consider whether what you are doing will ruin someone else's good time, regardless of if it makes logical in-character sense for you to do so.
Be mindful of the physical and mental safety of others.
Recognize that impact is different and more important than intent in your actions.
Attempt to follow the spirit of any rule even when the exact phrasing contradicts it.
Act in good faith and assume the best intentions of others, both players and staff.
The other side of the “Be Cool” rule is that we want you to feel, well, cool. We are here to tell fantastic stories together: we encourage you to take risks, look for opportunities to shine, and find ways to help your fellow players shine as well.
We are all responsible for the health of our community. As such, we ask that you adhere to the following guidelines:
All participants must provide proof in advance of COVID-19 vaccinations via email, video call, or in-person verification with a staff member. (This information will be gathered as part of registration for the game.)
Participants must submit proof of a negative COVID test via email no more than 48 hours before arrival at each event.
Do not come to the game if you are sick. If you are registered for an event and contract any contagious disease, please let staff know by email that you will not be making it to the event. Staff will not penalize you or your character for missing part or all of an event due to illness.
If you become sick during an event, notify staff promptly and withdraw from an event. If you become sick shortly after an event, notify staff by email so that other players may be notified of potential exposure if necessary. (Any illness reports will remain anonymous.)
Practice good hygiene, including washing your hands frequently.
Prioritize your physical well-being above immersion during events by staying hydrated, taking breaks as needed, and having quick access to any needed medical supplies such as EpiPens or inhalers.
Participants may wear face masks for respiratory virus prevention at any time.
Prior to Barrow’s Watch events, staff may release additional or updated guidelines specific to current public health concerns such as COVID-19, based on the best available advice and data from experts. Players and staff will be expected to follow any such guidelines.