Rules Cheatsheet
A rules cheat sheet can be also be downloaded and accessed here.
Player versus Player Approach and Tone
The Equinox Institute LARP:
- Will focus primarily on collaboration rather than conflict between various groups; and
- Envisions that PvP conflict can occur but will never be the main focus of the game.
Character Creation
Here are the basic steps for creating a character for The Equinox Institute LARP:
- Step One: Decide on a Character Concept you’d like to play
- Step Two: Pick a Class (and in doing so, gain that Class Skill)
- Step Three: Pick a Specialisation (from your Class)
- Step Four: Pick a Background
Violence and Character Death
- Each character has two hits per body location (these being the head, torso, right and left arms and right and left legs).
- When a character’s arms or legs are reduced to zero then that limb is no longer functional without appropriate, in-character medical attention.
- When a character is reduced to zero hits on the head or torso then they are ‘Wounded’ and can no longer use any skills or abilities including attacking or defending others.
- If a character on zero hits on their head or torso is struck again then they become ‘Critical’. While ‘Critical’, a character becomes unconscious and cannot move or make any noise.
- Immediately upon becoming ‘Critical’, a character starts to die from their wounds. If they are not stabilised within 2 minutes/120 seconds then the character will die (“death count”).
- At the end of a death count, a character receives a fatal wound and cannot be saved. The character may regain consciousness for long enough to have a few last words before passing. They may not use skills, fight or take any significant in-game action.
- Characters who are ‘Wounded’ or ‘Critical’ may receive a Condition Card which provides details for the player on the location of the injury, any mechanical effects as a result of this and roleplay prompts.
- Condition Cards can take many forms including mental, physical or paranatural wounds.These can be treated by physicians.
Combat – General
- All characters are considered to be untrained in the use of melee weapons larger than 12” or firearms unless they have a Class Skill or Specialisation that says otherwise.
- Characters do not enter play with any weapon unless a Specialisation or Cell Classification says otherwise.
- Melee weapons do a single point of damage unless accompanied by a damage call.
Combat – Firearms and Explosives
- All firearms have a range dictating how far a shot can be made. To target use a firearm, the target must be in range and any location targeted should not be in cover.
- All firearms have an aim time between one and five seconds which represent the time that must be taken before the first shot and any subsequent shot. While aiming a character may not move at a pace faster than a slow walk.
- Firearms use ‘Clips’ which are assigned to each firearm type and represent ammunition. This allows a character to make a set number of calls before the Clip is expended and the firearm must be reloaded. Reload times vary depending on the firearm.
- Anyone untrained in the use of firearms can use a firearm to do a “Bang” call within 10ft at the cost of a full clip of ammo, representing wild firing until a bullet hits its mark.
Touchstones
- Characters start play with two Touchstone Lammies tied to members of their Cell or, if the player does not have a Cell, other members of Equinox One (the default player cell).
- A character may use a Touchstone lammie for the following purposes when they are in the close physical proximity of one of their Touchstones or undertaking a meaningful other interaction with them, such as a tearful phone call or a live video feed:
- Recover if the character is ‘Wounded’, ‘Critical’, or has a ‘Fatal Wound’ they immediately regain consciousness, and after thirty seconds regains one hit on every location;
- Resist a Show-Me Lammie, and may call “Resist” if targeted again for the next 10 minutes;
- Reject, or in other words ignore the effect of a Condition Card for 10 minutes unless the Condition Card says otherwise;
- React to certain Condition Cards or items.
- Each Touchstone Lammie contains a Condition Card inside which applies to the character once the Touchstone lammie is used.
Damage Calls and EffectsThe Equinox Institute LARP uses the following damage calls:
Call | Effect of Damage Call |
---|---|
Stun | The location struck is immediately reduced to zero hits. If the location is the head or the torso, the character becomes ‘Wounded’. |
Rend | The location struck is immediately reduced to zero hits. If the location is the head or torso then the character immediately becomes ‘Critical’. |
Bang | Represents a gunshot. A character targeted by this call takes the ‘Rend’ effect to a location of their choice unless stated in the call (for example ‘Bang Head’). |
Kaboom | Represents an explosive force. In a confined space all characters take the ‘Rend’ call to the chest and head and are knocked to the ground. If outside this range is changed to within 20ft of the source of the explosion. |
Doom | Regardless of where struck, the character receives a ‘Fatal Wound’ and dies. |
Resist | Said in response to a damage call – the character either ignores the damage call made against them or takes an alternative effect. |