NPC qualifications?

[Inklings]

I have been looking for a LARP chapter to join but it seems each one i come across requires new players to be PCs for 3-5 games before being eligible for NPC status. I have no desire to play a static character. To me the fun in doing a game like this would come with the option to be many personalities. Contributing to a bigger picture is a lot more rewarding to me then single gain. How does this chapter of NERO handle newcomers wanting to be NPCs? I have read over the main site and could not find that information anywhere.

[MeweRogue]

Here it's perfectly normal for someone who's never played Nero to play NPCs their first event or every event. Heck my first event had me NPCing, granted it was only half the event.

[Ayzee]

We often encourage new players to NPC for a few events to get a sense of the rules before deciding on what type of PC they'd like to play. We also have a few folks who always NPC full time, and do only occasional stints as a PC for a few hours in the course of a weekend. You'd be more than welcome to come and NPC until you are blue in the face (at which point they'll likely send you out as a water elemental).

[MeweRogue]

Heh, I remember the water elementals in May. Particularly when they started chunking water balloons instead of spell packets.

[Elenril Elintari]

Not that Im a regular player in Piedmont, but Ill give my two cents.

NPCing initially is a very taxing decision. METRO-DC use to have a policy requiring any player to PC the first three events. The main reason for this is because, while NPCing, you are thrown into situations involving very different effects rapidly, and must get used to speed-math before you are ready.

What I mean is that PCs will throw a variety of spells and weapon damage numbers at you at an incredible rate. You, having never played, will get confused by the rules and numbers at that staggering level.

Example : NPCs at the last event I was at that have never NPCed would remain standing after being subjected to a sleep spell. This caused confusion and anger anomgst the PCs and almost caused some incidents between players.

PCing enters you into the game in a slower environment. You arent thrust into a position where damage is delivered to you at breakneck speeds, and are more available to pause to clarify what certain effects will do to you if you dont remember from the rules, because there will always be a PC that knows somewhere that isnt frequently engaged and trying to beat you to death.

My recommendation, having seen it both ways, and having been playing for 14 years now, is that you PC a few events before you NPC. Trust me, you'll be much happier when you decide to try to NPC, and the PCs that you are fighting wont look at you like you have gone bonkers and dont know what you are doing.

Each chapter is different though, and you do what you feel is comfortable, and maybe the guys at Piedmont will help you integrate. I dont know, just my recommendation.

[Duncan]

This is practically word for word the post I was going to make. It is sound advice even if you do not intend to PC on a regular basis. When you don't know what you are doing it is far easy to function as a PC. The NPC's understand who is and who isn't a new player and will make necessary adjustments. PC's have far less freedom in being able to cut NPC's slack since they are risking a whole lot more on the given outcome.

Additionally, playing as a PC gives you a little time to get the other players used to seeing you. This will go a long way towards building the familiarity and trust that is required of them when it does come time for you to NPC. Most NPC's by design are out there to kill and victimize the PC's. When you go out as an NPC to fight the PC's they need to have a certain level of trust and comfort that you are going to play your role properly. This is a lot easier for them to do if they know you and have played with your before. They are far more likely to be forgiving of honest mistakes and much more accepting of the situation if you happen to get the upper hand and beat up on them and cause their character's problems.