Guide to Costuming

Costume Example

In Legends, you can experience a fantasy world that goes far beyond the mundane one we normally live in. Costuming is a big part of achieving this - by dressing according to the genre (and your character's traits), you help this fantasy world be realized by everyone during the game. Your costume can help you distinguish yourself in the game, as well as add many subtle enhancements to your character.

Though Legends may have a fantasy medieval setting, you are not obliged to make a costume that is rigorously authentic to any particular historical period or fictional setting. Legends is not a historical reenactment society. The world of Areth is very large and diverse, so you have great flexibility in coming up with a costume. Don't wear clothing that is obviously modern, or anything with noticeable modern logos. Don't wear blue jeans (though black jeans can be commonplace in beginner costumes).

You shouldn't feel a need to ignore practical concerns - a costume shouldn't force you to not wear prescription eyeglasses, for example. Footwear illustrates this well. Legends is played in Massachusetts, so you may wish to wear modern footwear for reasons of safety or comfort. Rain happens often at Legends, so you should take care of your feet. "Costume shoes," intended for stage work, often do not hold up to outdoor use or harsh weather, and historically accurate footwear can be very hard to find and expensive. Simple hiking or combat boots are often ideal. You can even wear athletic shoes, though if you do so, you should avoid bright colors, obviously modern designs, and visible logos - it's hard to go wrong with basic brown and black.

Costume Example

A good costume doesn't have to cost large amounts of money or take large amounts of effort to put together. You just need an in-genre costume that doesn't look cheesy. Many great, resourceful costumes can be put together on a low budget of both time and money. You won't be shunned if your costume isn't hand-woven out of naturally dyed linen or if you use fake leather to belt a tunic. A costume doesn't have to match "the real thing" in every function and detail. Also, remember that Legends is played mostly outdoors, so your costume should have at least a semblance of durability and water-resistance.

Disguises and Prosthetics

If your character wishes to conceal his or her identity, they may do so using clothing, e.g. by covering the face with a basic cloth. Your character may not wear a wig, a false beard, a fake scar, or any other sort of disguise that would change their appearance - these prosthetics are used by the Staff to distinguish between different characters played by the same person. This rule is intended to avoid out-of-game confusion.

Unless you are specifically required by your race to do so (as described below), you may not wear prosthetics that make you look non-human, such as fangs, horns, or snouts. Prosthetics such as these (and latex rubber masks) are used to distinguish between certain races - similar to above, this is to avoid out-of-game confusion.

If you do decide to use prosthetics as part of your costume - perhaps your character has a prominent scar on the left cheek, for example - you should make sure they are comfortable. You will be wearing them over the length of a weekend, and fake beards and wigs can become irritating over time. Remember that such costume pieces represent the "real thing" for your character, so you may not remove or replace them at will.

Racial Costuming

Some of the races that you can play in Legends have specific costuming requirements. These requirements make certain non-human races easily recognizable as non-human. Like most racial restrictions in Legends, they are kept to a minimum, to allow for greater flexibility on the part of the player.

A Dwarf

Dwarves

Dwarves, both male and female, must wear a full beard (real or prosthetic). Also, dwarves have a height restriction: all players who play dwarves must be no taller than five feet and eight inches.

Dwarves are famous for their skill in making armor - though it isn't required, they are often seen heavily armored. Dwarves may only wield axes, hammers, and maces.

Half-Elf Profile

Half-Elves

Half-elves must have pointy `elf' ears. Suitable prosthetics can easily be found in costume shops. As with other prosthetics, you should be sure that they are comfortable over long periods of time and that they won't fall off easily.

Most half-elves wear costumes indicative of their ancestral connections with nature and the land, but not all do. Of course, you'll find all kinds on the Frontier. Half-elves in general may not use blunt weapons.

A Kia

Kia

Kia, a race related to the Fey, may only be played by females. Most have some personal connection to a certain type of plant or animal and many honor this connection by wearing associated decorations, from fur or feathers, to leaves or vines. Such things can be worn on the body directly, in images on jewelry, or decorations on clothing.

Humans

Legends has a number of different races of humans, each with unique cultures and backgrounds. Humans have no particular costuming requirements. The cultures of the different human races, as described in the Legends Rulebook, can inspire many costuming ideas. Remember that who your are, what you do for a living, and what the weather is like often have just as much impact on your costume as your race.


Putting a Costume Together

Costume Example

The key to a good LRPG/LARP costume is being resourceful. If you start by thinking what you'd like to look like, and then hunt around for some pieces to work with, you can go a long way.

Get an idea of what you'd like to look like. Consider these things: What general style would you like? (Tribal? Medieval knight? Robin Hood-ish? Renaissance? Middle Eastern? Japanese, or something from your imagination?)

You should think of whether or not you will wear armor (and what kind), what kind of clothing you will wear and what materials they are made of, and how you will carry things (In a pouch? On a pack? On a belt?). Do you want to wear a hat or a helmet?

What do you have already? If you have anything at home, start there, of course. With a new perspective on what it is you're looking for, search through closets, attics and basements for things that could work "as is" or with some modification.

Hit the thrift shops. The Salvation Army and similar thrift stores are very useful. Remember to look not only for things that are ready to wear, but for things that, with a little modification, can be made into medieval/fantasy costumes or armor. (Hint: check on belts, handbags, leather coats, blouses, shirts and furs.) Anything made of real or fake leather should get a good looking at; they can be made into leather armor or vests. Even an old suit bag can be cannibalized, and with a few press-on studs, it becomes studded leather armor. Paint can be added to suit your taste.

Costume Example

Tag sales, yard sales, and school or church bazaars are some of the big bonanzas. The most amazing things can be found for props and costumes! It's kind of like panning for gold - sometimes it's slow, but you never know when you'll strike it rich! And with all of these, the prices are usually excellent.

Try a big fabric store. Big ones often have sales on remnants. Keep an eye out for remnants of fake fur, fake leather, nice wools, etc. going on sale. Also, go through the "Notions" section; you can find lots of little things to add to your costume, such as buttons, broaches, and studs. If you need to cut and hem something, but you don't sew, try some fabric glue or iron-on hem sealers (like Stitch Witchery).

Little touches like scarves, feathers, chains, belts, etc. can be found at a wide variety of places; also consider looking in costume shops, hardware stores, boutiques and dollar stores.

Some Assembly Required. Work your pieces into the form you want. If you don't know how to get the effect you're looking for, ask around. You can call Legends if no one else knows how to do it. Keep in mind that you may be running, jumping, climbing and rolling in this outfit, so it should be safe and durable. Also remember that you'll probably be outside in rain at some point.


Costuming Links

Here a few links that you may find useful in building a costume. Many commercial sites that sell fantasy/medieval clothing can be found easily by searching. The sites listed here often have links to other places you can find even more information.