Event Info
Event Info
All new players play for free at their second standard event!
Join Us for the Adventure
The experience at Kingdoms of Novitas is like living a weekend in a medieval town, under siege by the forces of undead, rampant orcs, and shifty bandits. You take away from the game what you put into it; whether you’re a fan of archery, spell-casting, shield-walls, or just living the story. As one of the cheapest LARP events around, you’d be crazy not to give it a try!
Event Fee
Event Hours
Friday
Set Up: 4pm – 7pm
Sign In: 7pm – 9pm
Shift 1: 9pm – 2 am
Saturday
Shift 2: 10am – 3pm
Shift 3: 3pm – 8pm
Shift 4: 8pm – 1am
Sunday
Clean Up: 9am – 11am
DO NOT arrive before 4pm, Friday
You MUST leave by 11am, Sunday
These are Camp Rules
Don’t Forget
Pack extra:
Socks
Water
Feast Gear
Check your Gear:
Weapons
Shields
Armor
“A nice weekend of escapism from the stress of normal life is quite a relief. I love getting to come out to the middle of the woods and act like a huge nerd with a bunch of other huge nerds.”
~Sage B. player since 2018
“A nice weekend of escapism from the stress of normal life is quite a relief. I love getting to come out to the middle of the woods and act like a huge nerd with a bunch of other huge nerds.”
~Sage B. player since 2018
Standard Events vs Special Events
Kingdoms of Novitas hosts many events over the year. Events are either our standard LARP weekend or they’ll be a special event, a unique experience outside of our typical weekend in the woods. If an event is considered “special” it will have a name, such as Feb Feast, Junebilee (sometimes called Julybilee), or Castle Siege, as seen in the event list above. For more special events info, you must join us on Facebook or Discord.
Current Weather
You are responsible for bringing your own weather appropriate attire to game.
Pack appropriately so that you can enjoy game to its fullest!
Our game is hosted at a Boy Scout camp called Camp Kingsley, located in Ava, NY. Spanning approximately 400 acres of lush woodlands, this site boasts a myriad of trails, waiting to lead you on thrilling encounters! To get a feel for the environment, make sure to check out our Gallery!
Warning: Many people don’t get service in this area, unless they use AT&T or TMobile.
Parking, Logistics, and Sign-In
Once you arrive to our site, make sure to park your vehicle in the designated parking area and join us in Logistics for sign-in! This is where you’ll find the rest of us gathering and where we’ll give you the 101 on all things Kingdoms of Novitas.
1. Park in the Designated Area
It is important that our game remains as immersive as possible. That’s why you can only park in the designated area by the Robert G. Barnes Sr., Welcome Center.
*DO NOT PARK BY LOGISTICS*
2. Join us in Logistics
After you’ve parked your car, we suggest that you stop at our logistics building right away. Logistics is the building closest to the camp road, next to the flag poles. There you’ll find a big table with staff members – talk to them and they’ll help you sign in.
3. Sign-In
Not sure who to go to? In Logistics, there will be a large table with staff behind it. Every person behind this table can help you with sign in or by answering any questions you have while we wait for first shift to begin.
For your first game you will need to sign our waiver form upon sign-in.
“I’ve always loved fantasy games. This game has met every expectation I have had for a LARP and gone beyond it. I know it sounds like a cop out, but honestly it has always had such a great community that it’s hard to not bring it up.”
~Pat L. player since 2008
“The stories really come alive when you’re out in the woods, away from regular life. You can really get lost in the world and adventure of it all.”
~Leah M. – player since 2017
Lodging & Facilities
There are more than enough beds available at our site for all players that join our game. If bunking in a cabin or lean-to isn’t your style, you can also pitch your own tent or stay at a hotel in the nearby city of Rome, NY.
You can view our lodging and shower/toilet facilities below.
Lodging & Facilities
There are more than enough beds available at our site for all players that join our game. If bunking in a cabin or lean-to isn’t your style, you can also pitch your own tent or stay at a hotel in the nearby city of Rome, NY.
You can view our lodging and shower/toilet facilities below.
There are many of rules at Kingdoms of Novitas. We recommend you get familiar with our rules before attending, but don’t worry about becoming an expert. You’ll be paired up with veteran players so you can learn as you go while starting out. Every rule in our game can be found on the Kingdoms of Novitas Wiki.
Click on the New Player Training below for the most important basics of our game (opens in a new window).
Live version coming soon!
Before Your First Game
While there is a lot to know, the three rules below are required of you to follow in order to participate in our game. Context for the rules below can be found on our Wiki.
No Modern Gear
Except for medically required garments such as perscription glasses, you will be required to cover anything noticably modern before playing game. You will be asked to change if your garb and/or gear does not meet our standards.
You Must Be 18+
Players must be eighteen years of age or older to participate in Kingdoms of Novitas events. For immediate family ages 15 years or older, review our wiki for specialized rules.
No Spectators Allowed
We encourage those who are curious about our game to participate in it. We do not allow spectators or independent photographers to be bystanders at game as it is distracting and draws from our player’s immersion experience.
“It’s a golden community. The rules are well balanced and the game welcomes all sorts of people & playstyles. It allows you to make your own paths and play your own way within reason.”
~Ceilidh M. player since 2017
“It’s a golden community. The rules are well balanced and the game welcomes all sorts of people & playstyles. It allows you to make your own paths and play your own way within reason.”
~Ceilidh M. player since 2017
Dos & Don’ts
LARPS come in all shapes and sizes, so to ensure players have a great time at Kingdoms of Novitas, we have a few Dos and Don’ts about joining our game. These expectations allow all players to have a great time. Always feel free to reach out to us if you have questions or concerns about participating or joining us!
Do
Peruse the New Players section of the Wiki
Join the Kingdoms of Novitas Player Discussions and introduce yourself to the other players
Look for information in rulebooks before posting questions. (Simply: RTFM)
Create a backstory for your character that would be useful for GMs to write plot about
Compliment others at game for plots and encounters that you enjoyed or well-roleplayed scenes
Don't
Do not make game suggestions before attending
Do not troll our discussion channels with a flood of topics. (Please be considerate)
Do not assume you’ll be coming into game as the King of France, or anything silly like that
Do not forget to bring garb. (You cannot play this game in sneakers. No exceptions!)
Do not bend rules to your liking. This game is based on an honor system. People will know you’re cheating
We recommend that newer players consider participating in a full event as an NPC (Non-Player Character). This experience not only aids in your understanding of the game mechanics and earns you XP but also offers you a deeper insight into the captivating world of Novitas. Additionally, opting for NPCing reduces the items you need to bring for your initial event. Of course, if you decide to play as a PC (Player Character) during your first game, we have provided all the essential information you need below! For further details, feel free to explore our comprehensive wiki resources.
Choosing Appropriate Garb & Gear
One of the many things Kingdoms of Novitas strives for is immersion, and we take pride in raising the bar for authentic garb, higher quality weapons, and a heavy restriction on anachronisms. You’ll find us using latex weaponry and pushing for ‘prettier’ weapons rather than ‘burrito boffers’ or pool noodles. You also won’t find plastic, rubber, or foam armor, as our players are expected to carry the weight of realistic materials such as metal and leather.
Check out our Garb Guide for examples of our player’s garb, gear, and our suggested vendors.
Packing for a Fun Novitas Weekend
We often get asked: “What should I bring to my first game?” What you’ll need to pack depends on if you PC during your first game. Either way, the below guide will help you pack for a fun weekend at Kingdoms of Novitas!
Non-Game Needs
There are a few items you can bring to game that will help you have a fun and comfortable weekend. If you have plans to spend the night at our site, be sure to bring sleeping gear such as a sleeping bag and pillow, a tent if you’d like, and toiletries to use in our shower facilities. It’s also important for you to be prepared for the seasons. We play in snow, rain, and shine, so you may want to pack items like bug spray, sunscreen, extra socks, and more, to have a comfortable event.
NPC Needs
When you join us at Kingdoms of Novitas, you’ll participate in what we call NPC shifts. Our game runs on 4 shifts, and every player is required to NPC for two of those shifts (though you can NPC for more than that!). Its important that you bring a base-layer of non-descriptive garb for NPCing as we only provide masks, make-up, weapons, and garb to augment your base-layer.
PC Needs
Each player at Kingdoms of Novitas can PC for up to two shifts. Your PC is a character you get to create yourself. Because each PC is different, what you’ll need to pack is entirely up to you, your character design, and what you want to carry. You are responsible to provide all gear and garb for your PC. Before buying items for your PC, reach out to us to ensure it passes our rules and guidelines so you don’t spend money on something you can’t use at our game.
“This was my first ever LARP and I love how supportive the community is to new players. I’ve probably asked a couple hundred questions so far from rules to world clarification and everyone has been very helpful. The people that make up Kingdoms of Novitas, staff and players, are phenomenal and I’m happy to call them friends.
~Katlyn H. player since 2017
“This was my first ever LARP and I love how supportive the community is to new players. I’ve probably asked a couple hundred questions so far from rules to world clarification and everyone has been very helpful. The people that make up Kingdoms of Novitas, staff and players, are phenomenal and I’m happy to call them friends.”
~Katlyn H. player since 2017
Creating Your First PC
A PC (player character) is any character created by, and role-played by, it’s creator. Players are allowed to play a PC for up to 2 shifts per event as long as they NPC at least the same number of shifts the event. Once you start playing your first PC, you really get to see the world of the Novitas come to life. Some players PC their very first game, while others have waited months, or even years, before deciding they were ready to create their PC. We have an extensive library of information about creating a PC on our Wiki, but below are a few quick tips to get you started.
Pick a Species
We have an array of races to choose from at Kingdoms of Novitas, each with their own costuming requirements and unique characteristics. We recommend getting to know the country each race is from when deciding which to go with. We have Elves, Snow Goblins, Humans, Verdurans, Earthkin, Faekin, and Drakes.
Write Your Background
Players are responsible for having a reason for their character to be in Maplewood, the current setting of the game. This background should dive into why your character is in Maplewood but should also include information about their history. Submit a background by the Friday prior to the first event you wish to play a character at (or before the character has earned level 2). Doing so will earn you 5 experience points.
Choose Your Skills
There aren’t any classes, alignments, or max levels at Kingdoms of Novitas. Instead, you can use skills of all sorts, in any combination you wish, to make your character. All skills available can be found on our Character Sheet. Note that each skill costs XP which you earn while NPCing and by the methods described below.
Earning XP
The amount of experience points (XP) you’ve earned at Kingdoms of Novitas, determines what level your PC is and what in-game skills the PC can use (such as magic or crafting).
There are many different ways to earn XP for your PC at Kingdoms of Novitas. Generally the ways to earn XP are by completing activities that enhance the game. To list a few examples – participating in our workgroups, joining us for volunteer days, NPCing, performing extra NPC shifts, assisting with game set up/break down, writing post-event letters (PELs), donations to game, and more – can earn you XP for your PC.
Follow us on Facebook or Discord so you know when we have Volunteer Events!
Earning XP
The amount of experience points (XP) you’ve earned at Kingdoms of Novitas, determines what level your PC is and what in-game skills the PC can use (such as magic or crafting).
There are many different ways to earn XP for your PC at Kingdoms of Novitas. Generally the ways to earn XP are by completing activities that enhance the game. To list a few examples – participating in our workgroups, joining us for volunteer days, NPCing, performing extra NPC shifts, assisting with game set up/break down, writing post-event letters (PELs), donations to game, and more – can earn you XP for your PC.
Follow us on Facebook or Discord so you know when we have Volunteer Events!
The amount of experience points (XP) you’ve earned at Kingdoms of Novitas, determines what level your PC is and what in-game skills the PC can use (such as magic or crafting).
There are many different ways to earn XP for your PC at Kingdoms of Novitas. Generally the ways to earn XP are by completing activities that enhance the game. To list a few examples – participating in our workgroups, joining us for volunteer days, NPCing, performing extra NPC shifts, assisting with game set up/break down, writing post-event letters (PELs), donations to game, and more – can earn you XP for your PC.
Follow us on Facebook or Discord so you know when we have Volunteer Events!
