Against the Dying of the Light: Volunteers
game play
Our game has a cruel, unfair setting full of inequality and zombies. Our participants portray characters who are making tough decisions and trying to do their best in a bad situation. See the Setting page for more background, and the Game Style page for information on active themes.
Although our setting is horrible, our game is about finding the humanity in that setting. We want our participants to explore the hope that can be found amidst the chaos and suffering. Sing songs from the old times, share illicit chocolate at midnight, make a new community and create hope for the future.
This is a collaborative game, and participants are expected to calibrate with each other around difficult themes. Failure, punishment, bullying and injury are all opt-in.
What will i do during the event?
The central premise of the game is that our characters are new 'Volunteers' who are starting one of three training programmes. There will be a strict timetable for characters to follow with designated relaxation times and meal times. Lights out is at 11pm- leaving plenty of time for midnight sneaky shinanegans- just watch out for the guards!
Each Volunteer is part of a group of 6 (Scavengers & Recruits) or 4 (medics). Your teammates share a bunk room and undertake most of your activities together. You may compete or collaborate, commiserate over hard times and perhaps even share a Twinkie that one of you got on the black market.
All Volunteers will have the chance to face the zombie evasion test- although they may opt-out (ie. your character can do it the day after the event). This will involve passing through a room filled with zombies, using all of your wit and cunning to avoid their attentions.
PLEASE NOTE this is a non-combat LARP, apart from in pre-calibrated situations involving zombies. Generally you will be taught to avoid them, which we think is more fun / horrific!
what is 'monstering'
'Monstering' in this context means that we invite our participants to take on the roles of zombies, injured scavengers or other NPCs for a short time, in order to support our game play without the need for a hundred crew.
This is not compulsory, but should be excellent fun!
This will take place during your character's assigned 'latrine duty', during which if you don't want to monster you can relax instead.
But hey- why not relax as an injured NPC and offer out your smuggled chocolate in exchange for the good painkillers?
the volunteer programme
All of our characters are about to begin the Volunteer Programme at the Evacuation Camp. This is a new venture designed to address shortages amongst Army personnel. We're sure nothing could possibly go wrong!
Some characters may have been forced to volunteer, some may be seeking the benefits that come from higher status within the camp. Some may be hoping to make a difference to their friends and family. Others might be seeking escape from debts or memories in The Moat. Some few might even be plotting to escape the camp entirely and take their chances in the zombie infested world outside of the Camp!
Characters will be placed into groups of 6 (Scavs and Recruits) or 4 (Medics). They will share a bunk room, and attend activities together.
As part of our character allocation we will calibrate with participants around the level of in-game competition they want to experience, and whether they want in-game activity centred on their bedrooms. We will then group participants together according to opt-in elements such as midnight inspections or alarms.
There will be a schedule!
Volunteer activity involves carrying out duties as instructed during training time. There will also be rest & relaxation time, as well as meal times during which characters can mingle and roleplay to their hearts content. There will also be schedules 'Latrine Duty' during which participants are invited to join the NPC crew in providing zombies for other characters to face. This is not compulsory; if a participants does not want to join the crew during their 'Latrine Duty' slot they may relax off-game instead.
medics
Medic Volunteers are placed into groups of 4.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be in rooms containing 2 bunks in the off-game accommodation block. This building contains the off-game kitchen and dining room.
GAME PLAY
The central game activity for the Medics will be in taking instruction from professor Corbie. This might include:
- Dissecting zombies (either samples or entire specimens)
- Collecting samples from retuning scavengers or other Volunteers
- Treating wounded soldiers and scavengers
There will also be the opportunity to take part in the Zombie Evasion Test- a room with several zombies through which the character must move without being touched by a zombie. This is not compulsory- the character can be scheduled to take the test the day after the event ends.
ACCESSIBILITY
This training programme is designed to be accessible. Game play will be indoors, with seating and access to toilets available at all times. Participants are encouraged to discuss their needs with the organisers to make the perfect game.
scavengers
Scavenger Volunteers are placed into groups of 6.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be bunks beds in-game in freestanding wooden huts with heating and electricity. Toilets and showers are in a separate building.
GAME PLAY
The central game activity for the Scavengers will be in taking instruction from Captain Armstrong. This might include:
- Making zombie traps / detectors
- Bushcraft
- Scavenging practice
There will be the opportunity to take part in the Zombie Evasion Test- a room with several zombies through which the character must move without being touched by a zombie. This is not compulsory- the character can be scheduled to take the test the day after the event ends.
There will also be the option to spend a night out in the woods, putting all that survival training to the test! This is very much weather dependant, and participants should expect some discomfort. We will calibrate around this exercise, and consider being in-game until 1am, after which when participants can sleep off-game back in their accommodation if they choose.
ACCESSIBILITY
This training programme will involves walking across a large sloping field, and traversing uneven woodland paths. Running is not required. Game play will involve outdoor sessions sitting on rough seating, and so warm clothing is strongly advised!
recruits
Recruit Volunteers are placed into groups of 6.
ACCOMMODATION
Accommodation will be bunks beds in-game in the main in-game building that also contains the in-game kitchen, dining area, and Medical Clinic.
GAME PLAY
The central game activity for the Recruits will be in going through our version of basic training. This might include:
- Running
- Physical exercises: press-ups, sit-ups
- Delivering punishments for other characters or NPCs
- Midnight room inspection and drills (opt-in)
There will be the opportunity to take part in the Zombie Evasion Test- a room with several zombies through which the character must move without being touched by a zombie. This is not compulsory- the character can be scheduled to take the test the day after the event ends.
ACCESSIBILITY
This training programme will involves running along uneven paths and over sloping grass. There will be a clear meta-technique to indicate failure, meaning that getting shouted at or punished by the instructor is strictly opt-in and not reliant on real world fitness.
