V9: Getting Started
- The Amtwiki is the official home and primary source for Amtgard V9 Rules as of February 25, 2023.
- These rules are currently in Open Alpha Playtest. See the Playtest Disclaimer for more details.
- To learn more about Amtgard V9 Development, please visit Amtgard.com.
- To view the current Amtgard V8 ruleset, please see the Amtgard V8 Rulebook.
Getting Started
Getting started with Amtgard is quick and easy. Here's some essential information for any new player.
The Four Pillars of Participation
Amtgard is more than just a combat LARP. It's a vibrant community that offers a variety of ways to participate whether your weapon of choice is a sword, a needle, a pen, or even a spreadsheet!
Once you've finished with this section, follow these links to explore about the various facets of Amtgard:
Progession and the Online Record Keeper (O.R.K.)
On your first day, you will be asked to choose a name for your player account on the ORK. This account will be used to store all the progress and milestones you achieve throughout your Amtgard career. Most people will use the name of their 'Main' character, however this can be whatever you like and changed at any time without affecting your progress.
In Amtgard, progress is tied to the player, not the character. All levels and achievements listed on your ORK account are player-specific and can be immediately applied any new characters you create. You do not need to level up each character individually.
Setting Up Your ORK Account
Your ORK account will be automatically set up for you after you sign in to your first Amtgard function. After that point you can reach out to the officer responsible for ORK Updates (usually called the Prime Minister or Chancellor) and they can provide you with your login information.
Character Creation
Creating a new character in Amtgard is as easy as picking a name. While the majority of Amtgard activities are out-of-character, most players will still try to build their garb and aesthetic around a certain character concept or fantasy, even if they don't participate in roleplay.
Amtgard roleplay is free-form, decentralized, and often episodic. It does not have a single unified story and the shared setting is limited to just a few key details. Instead, local communities each craft their own stories, maps, and expanded lore independent of one another, much like different tabletop RPG groups. As such, your Amtgard can be roleplay-heavy, combat-heavy, or somewhere in between, based on the preferences of your nearest Kingdom or Park.
Check with your local community to inquire if and how often they roleplay, as well as any useful in-character information they may have to get you primed for roleplay with their group.
Head over to the Roleplay section to learn about character-building, roleplay abilities, and more!
What to Bring On Your First Day
Amtgard parks will often have a small collection of basic equipment that new players can borrow to use during combat activities until they are able to craft or acquire their own. You can show up to your first day with nothing but the clothes on your back and get right into the game!
Head over to the Equipment section to learn more about crafting your own weapons, shields, and armor for Amtgard combat!
Garb (Costume)
Garb Requirements and Goals
All Amtgard participants are encouraged to wear a costume (colloquially known as "garb") that fits within the Heroic Fantasy theme of Amtgard.
Garb is not required to participate in Amtgard activities; however all members are highly encouraged to wear garb when possible due to the many benefits it brings to the ever-growing Amtgard community.
- Garb ensures our participants are easily recognized and stand out from regular passerby.
- Garb presents an appealing and engaging image to the public. It shows that we are not just random friends in a park, but a community and organization that they can actually approach and join.
- Garb improves the overall atmosphere of the game and enhances the Heroic Fantasy experience for other players.
As a rule of thumb, any garments, accessories, and body-costuming are fair game as long as the pieces are incorporated together in such a way that the complete outfit is visually suitable for the Heroic Fantasy theme of Amtgard. This can include prosthetics, tattoos, body paint, accessories, etc. in addition to traditional fantasy clothing and armor pieces.
Dress Accordingly
- Players should be encouraged to garb appropriately for their local weather and climate conditions. Safety always comes first.
- Players must always adhere to applicable, real-world clothing regulations and decency laws.
- Examples of Different Levels of Garb
Discouraged
T-Shirt and Shorts under a Belt and Sash
Basic
Simple Tunic and Wrap Pants
Encouraged
Accessories, Color Scheme,
Extra Garments and Layers as appropriate for the weather
Garments to Alter or Avoid
Amtgard seeks to limit the amount of obviously modern-looking items at any given function. We ask that players minimize their use of the following items unless they are altered or incorporated so that the complete outfit is visually suitable for the Heroic Fantasy theme of Amtgard.
- Obviously modern clothing such as blue jeans, white shoes, camouflage patterns, baseball caps, sports jerseys, etc.
- Clearly mundane logos or fabric prints.
Prohibited Garments
The following items may never be worn, even if they are incorporated into the Heroic Fantasy theme.
- Inappropriate, disrespectful, and/or distasteful use of real-life cultural garments, symbols, and/or body paint.
- Real swords, knives, or weapons of any sort (even in sheaths or cases) may never be worn or carried during combat activities.
Personal-Protective & Medically-Necessary Apparel
Modern safety apparel (such as sunglasses/goggles, sport footwear, knee pads, gloves, etc.) and anything required out of medical necessity is extremely important to ensuring the safety and comfort of our players.
Participants are encouraged to wear their safety or medical gear whenever they feel it is necessary however we highly encourage participants to minimize their modern appearance where possible by altering, covering, or incorporating those items into their garb in such a way that the complete outfit is visually suitable for the Heroic Fantasy theme of Amtgard (or at least more suitable than it would be without any action taken). Safety will always be our first priority, however we sincerely appreciate players who strive to be both safe and immersive.
More information about Safety Equipment can be found in the Safety section.
Reserved Symbols
Amtgard has a number of symbols or garments that are reserved specific purposes. Only players who meet the criteria below may incorporate these features into their garb or equipment. The reserved symbols are:
| SYMBOL | RESERVED FOR |
|---|---|
| Phoenix Imagery | |
| General | The Phoenix is the symbol of Amtgard and may only be worn in the following circumstances:
|
| White or Black | Knights |
| Gold | Masters. The background upon which the phoenix is placed represents the type of masterhood. |
| Belts | |
| White (with or without trim) | Knights. it is common to trim the white belt in the colors of the knighthood path(s) of the wearer. |
| Red | Squires |
| Black with Silver Trim | At-Arms |
| Yellow | Pages |
| Sashes | |
| Mono-Colored | Classes. All class identifiers are reserved in combat and roleplay for players who are actively playing those classes. |
| Mono-Colored with Silver Trim | Paragons of the associated Class. |
| Light Pink | Special Accommodation: Light Pink sashes are universally reserved as an indicator for Non-Melee Participants. |
| Other Symbols | |
| Unadorned Chain | Knights |
| Spurs | Knights |
| Mono-Colored Belt Favor with Silver Trim | Apprentices of the associated Class. |
| Vertical black-and-white stripes (invoking modern Referees) or black-and-white checkerboard patterns. | Reeves |
Getting Started The ORK · Character Creation · Theme and Setting · What to Expect From Roleplay
What to Bring on Your First Day · Who is Responsible for Helping New Players?
