Event
I assume we are an away team on a planet at E1? Not on the Ardent itself?
Correct! Most of the games will occur on smaller planets as a series of “away missions”. There may be the chance to enter the Ardent for small encounters during the game, but we won’t run an event purely on the Ardent until we can physrep it, which won’t happen anytime soon.
How many encounters should we expect?
This is a difficult one to answer, as it largely depends on the final number of crew. We’re trying to have multiple things to do each hour (unless it’s a big encounter that affects the whole playerbase). We’re also planning a couple of larger skirmishes, one each morning.
Not everything will “feel” like an encounter; there will be more to do than just be taken out of camp to fight/meet NPCs and complete a task.
How many tickets have sold?
As of publishing this writeup, we have sold:
- 59 player tickets
- 34 crew tickets
Is there catering?
Yes! There are catering tickets for sale, provided by The Ratt Shakk. These must be booked in advance.
Will it be permitted for IC player tents to link together with the structures provided by the game, as a common hub/firebase for example?
Absolutely! Let us know what you’re bringing in the camp planning form, and we can plan a big structure.
I really love this idea. We really want to build up the IC base over time as the game has more budget to buy tents, but currently we’re very limited by what we can provide so any help with communal tents will be massively appreciated.
If you have larger tents of gazebos that you weren’t planning to use for yourself but would be happy bringing for this firebase creation (we can communal help set them up) please do get in touch!
Will there be IC spaces (ie engineering benches, laboratory) provided by the game for roleplay?
In the long term yes, but right now, not properly. We are aiming to provide a small amount of theming in the division communal tents, but are asking for whatever help players can provide with set dressing and props to build the areas up over these first few events.
Is there a bar?
If players organise one!
During the Q&A some players started sharing ideas for this, so do join our discord channel to get up to date on what’s happening regarding this player-led effort!
We are more than happy to work with players who wish to provide IC establishments like this.
Logistics
What facilities, buildings, and/or tents are being provided by the game?
As a game, we’re intending to provide at minimum several 3×3 gazebos (one per division), a mess tent for the IC command hub, and other miscellaneous smaller communal tents. We have a lot of initial start-up costs that need covering at Event 1, so we aim to build on what the game provides for the IC base each event. Our caterer The Ratt Shakk will also be provided food IC.
Very close to the IC base, there’s a permanent toilet block with showers and dish washing facilities. Unfortunately, we can’t use the lodge on the main field yet (there’s a building covenant making it scout-only for a number of years). There is however a crew dormitory block which has a small amount of space for those with accessibility needs (this would be communal rooms and must be organised in advance).
There are a few things available to hire from the venue (done at cost for us); mains power & cable, tables and benches, and firepit/BBQs. We’ll have a number of tables and benches already in the communal areas, but a limited amount will be available for players to hire for their own camps.
Are the site’s electrical hookups per camp, person, or tent?
Provisionally, per tent.
We don’t want things to be dangerously daisy chained with a bunch of extension cables from one hookup, so are relying on people being sensible with the number of things they attach to it. FLG has another event at this venue at the start of July, so we’ll be able to get more details then.
Will there be access to hot water and a kettle on the site?
Yes! There will be a small refreshments are with a kettle and water (in addition to the several water standpipes around the edge of the main field).
If I get in the site dishwasher and turn it on, will I die?
Please don’t do that, we’d probably lose our deposit.
And Keith will be sad.
Crew Incentives
What do crew get provided at the event?
Crew have free catering from the same menu as the players, as well as priority access to the bunk space.
Do crew get any kind of in-game bonus as thanks for crewing if they want to play future events?
We don’t have anything set in stone yet, and will be looking into this after Event 1.
At this early stage, we’re prioritising giving crew a great experience so they want to remain crewing long-term. As volunteers, we’re also legally limited on what we can provide as thanks (which is why LARPs will more happily give IC benefits). We’ll be asking for feedback from crew after the event and will work from there!
The Future
Is this a Bedford LARP forever or are we site hopping?
The plan is to stay in the midlands.
It’s our first year using this venue, and it is very pricey. We’re happy to stay here if it suits the game’s needs, but are also looking around at other venues within 2 hours to give ourselves options. Your feedback will be very valuable and help us make this decision!
Once we’ve had our first event and have had a little bit more time over summer to view other venues, we’ll be able to share more about plans for 2026.
How many events are you looking at running in the future?
We’re looking at Ardent running 2 main games per year, with the option of a smaller or social-style event based on demand.
We’re also open to players running their own small events within the universe, more details on that after Event 1.