What are RSVP Mods?

These are the modules (“mods”) that Story lists on the network database for the event. Players can read a short description, and signup to participate in that mod if they are interested. The description tells them where to meet, and when. It may also list a player limit, and any required skills. The database will hide mods that have an assigned skill requirement if none of your characters in the system are eligible. Story lists as RSVP mods that are opt-in. If a mod is coming into town to engage with whoever it finds, there’s no need for it to be RSVP. Most mods run during the weekend are not RSVP mods - these are but a portion of what we plan for you each month!

Why Use RSVPs?

Some mods need a player limit for practical reasons. For example, only small groups can fit inside a maze, or work on a single puzzle at the same time. Others may need limits for narrative or engagement reasons. A stealth mod with a dozen people doesn’t feel very sneaky or dangerous. A fight against a badass monster doesn’t feel as threatening when it can be swarmed. Some mods don’t need a player limit, but the Story team wants to see what level of engagement they can expect. We can then adjust the mod, and also the other content running at that same time for players who are engaging elsewhere. Finally, some mods are keyed to skills that give rewards based on a mod’s success, and we want players to be able to find those mods. This describes Criminal, Finance, Hunting, and Sailing mods, to name a few. Sometimes we list a mod as RSVP just because we think it's cool, and we want everyone to know about it.

Benefits of RSVPs

A lot happens at LARP. For everything you experience, there are numerous other things that you’re missing out on. Our hope is to create an event so awesome that you wish you could do it all. Sadly the self-cloning technology has not advanced past the experimental stage. With RSVP mods, you can at least prioritize certain experiences and plan the rest of your time around that. RSVPs also make plot more transparent and available. Just sign up and you’re in.

Waitlisting

For now, we’ve chosen not to enforce a global limit on signups. If our content is overly popular, we first attempt to expand the scope of the content, such as by hosting multiple runs (with minor or major differences). Still, sometimes we have to leave people on the Waitlist. If you are on the Waitlist, you can show up to the meetup location on time, and after a short grace period we will fill vacant spots.

RSVP Etiquette

Show up on time.

Being late affects everyone else on the mod, and can cause a “traffic jam” on the Ops end. A grace period is offered, but if you are late or a no-show, your spot may be given over to the Waitlist. LARP time can get off-schedule pretty quickly, and sometimes Ops might be the party that is late. We might be waiting on NPCs to finish up another mod, or a shift change, or any number of complications. When Ops is the cause of a delay, we try to send a runner to communicate the delay and give a new ETA. If you’ve been waiting for 10 minutes or more with your crew, and haven’t seen a Guide, feel free to send a runner to Ops to ask for an update. We do not consider this rude - we’d rather know that you’re ready and waiting.

Be generous.

Some players don’t follow the plot closely and are happy to make their own fun. Others vacuum up every crumb. Sign up for the things you care about most, and leave some of the rest. You can always add more signups after a few days, once others have had a chance. If you see a big Waitlist filling up under you, see who it includes. New Players? Travelers? Newcomers to that plotline? A group of players who signed up together? Maybe reach out to the players involved to see everyone’s level of involvement. If you already have a booked weekend, consider withdrawing and adding yourself to the Waitlist.

Read the mission and expect to follow it.

If you are a newcomer to the plot, you owe it to everyone else on the mod to have some idea what you’re getting into. Read the description. Spend time at game investigating, planning, and interacting with the team before the mod takes place. Everyone on the mod should be aiming to succeed at the mission. Do not sabotage the mission, or derail it chasing down squirrels (unless chasing down squirrels is the mission). If you want to work at cross-purposes to whatever the premise of the mod is, instead talk to the Story team. You might be able to request a separate mod (through a Personal Plot Request, for example) that allows you to work toward your character’s goals without stifling others’.

Stay In-Game While Waiting.

Unless the meetup location is Ops, meetup locations are IG. For the sake of everyone’s immersion, both those on the mod and in the area, stay in-game and in-character. Talk about strategy, why you’re all doing this, what you hope or fear might happen. The more you stay IG before the mod, the more seamless the launch of the mod will be.

Don’t say “mod.”

“Mod’ is an entirely OOG term. While in-game, don’t say “mod!” You can say you are on a mission, a quest, going out of town on business, or describe whatever it is you are doing. Just don't call it a "mod!"