Entering the World of LARP: A Beginner's Guide

The journey for every LARPer usually begins in a universe they have fallen deeply in love with, regardless of its source. It could be genres like fantasy, steampunk, post-apocalyptic, or sci-fi, or even a specific universe like The Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, or Star Wars.

Unfortunately, no matter your wishes, it is important to understand that you might not always find an event with the exact theme you are looking for, but you can at least find one that shares the genre you love. Nowadays, the best way to dive into the Czech LARP community is through Facebook (I highly recommend the LARP CZ group) or the calendar on LARP.cz. You can also find a well-curated overview of cons, LARPs, and gaming events right here on imago.

Your First Costume and Gear

After taking that first brave step, you are staring at the website of your potential first LARP event. You navigated the registration form with wit, and a bit of bureaucracy was no obstacle for you, but what now? Your magnificent paladin armor is just a t-shirt, two belts, and jeans you quickly tried to spray-paint silver. Or maybe you went even further and asked your grandma for that one specific old potato sack to make the epic tabard you always saw in your favorite MMORPGs.

The truth is, the LARP community is more than willing to help, point you toward a professional crafter, or even give you some solid advice on how to get a good costume for a few bucks. It is definitely worth visiting the legendary “Fencing Market” (Šermířská burza), whether in Olomouc, Brno, or another big city. You won't find a better selection of gear anywhere else, but keep your wild dreams of shiny plate armor in check. You’ve still got a long way to go!

From personal experience, I recommend starting light. Choose an event where you can arrive with a lighter costume, usually consisting of a simple tunic, a cowl, loose trousers, a set of leather bracers, and a belt. Shoes, even though many LARPers will scold me for this, are a secondary concern. A piece of long fabric in a similar color wrapped around your boot is more than enough to cover any logos or questionable colors.

You can find basic costume pieces on imago in the 'First Time at LARP' collection https://www.imago.cz/poprve-na-larp. You will also find pieces sewn in the imago workshop (marked with the 'Only at imago' label), where they craft costumes from high-quality cotton and linen, as well as leather accessories—from belts and weapon hangers to pouches.

What About Weapons?

But what about my magnificent two-handed sword?! you shout with your fist raised in my direction. A weapon is just as crucial as the costume itself, of course, but it is also where you can hit a wall the hardest. Czech LARPs still stick to a harder core equipped with quality padding, and manufacturers vary. They say every LARPer has their own supplier, but the truth is, the best creator I have personally met is Larpová Zbrojnice, which you can find on Facebook.

It is also possible to borrow your first weapon from fellow fighters, but please show the entrusted weapon proper respect and care. Returning a destroyed weapon to its original owner will negatively affect your reputation for the future, and it is a real shame, after all.

If you decide to take the DIY route and are looking for materials, or if you need to get something quickly with good quality and fast delivery, take a look at the selection of weapons and materials (https://www.imago.cz/vyroba-zbrani-a-sipu) on imago.

Finding the Right Event

You are probably asking why I haven't recommended any events for beginners yet. The answer is simple. Showing initial effort, doing your own research, and looking at what would or wouldn't suit you is how many of us started. The paths to LARP are unpredictable, and yes, it can happen that one specific friend, at just the right moment, says they need another dangerous brawler for their army of elven saboteurs. But such an event is not the rule.

And what if you don't find anything that suits you on the Czech scene? Well, those of you with more ducats in your pockets can certainly try events abroad, such as in Poland or Germany. Gothic LARP in Poland is an excellent experience, and odes are still sung about Drachenfest by those who have been lucky enough to experience such a grand event. Of course, slightly different combat rules apply abroad than here on home soil, but the differences are minor.

The Future of the Czech LARP Scene

We live in a time when the Czech LARP scene is recovering from dark moments, as we all suffered greatly during those difficult four years full of illness and trouble. Step by step, new organizers are emerging, willing to breathe new life into this hobby.

Who says you can't be one of these amazing hard workers and bring your own event into the world after gaining some LARP experience? Don't let yourself be discouraged, and above all, don't be afraid of the LARP community or communicating with it. You might find that this is exactly where you will find the friends you have always been looking for.